Charles Johnston MRCS (12 March 1812 – 16 July 1872) was a British surgeon, travel writer of Africa and founder of the Durban Botanic Gardens.

He befriended the King of the Ethiopian kingdom of Shewa, Sahle Selassie, publishing in his book their conversations from various meetings.

Johnston stayed in Aden for several weeks before he received an offer from Captain Haines to be put in charge of a mission to take supplies to the British Embassy in Shewa.

Johnston began his journey into East Africa by sailing from Aden to Tadjoura in February 1842 aboard the brig-of-war Euphrates captained by John Young.

Johnston was however unable to travel further on this occasion upon the advice of Captain Young, who felt that the local inhabitants of Tadjoura were unwilling to assist the mission.

[11] Captain Haines believed that it was the presence of a war ship which had made the inhabitants of Tadjoura unwilling to assist the mission.

[11] Johnston commenced his inland journey from Tadjoura with the supplies to Shewa on 27 March travelling with a camel caravan.

A safe passage was agreed through the territory of a local tribe Johnston called the 'Muditu' for the price of two bags of rice, date fruits and three pieces of calico.

However, despite the agreement, on 10 April a slave belonging to one of the camel-owners in the caravan was murdered under cover of darkness, supposedly by the Muditu.

The assailant celebrated by publicly wearing a black feather in his hair and received no punishment other than a fine of five bullocks paid by his friends collectively.

On 17 May 1842 Johnston was informed that one of the men hired to protect him called Esau Ibrahim had threatened to kill him.

He decided to get this man away from him, by paying him two dollars to travel ahead of the camel caravan, with a letter to Shewa announcing his arrival.

Johnston was told that he could not travel onwards to the British Embassy in the capital Ankober, but must remain at Farree, until the King Sahle Selassie gave orders that he could advance.

[1] On 30 May 1842 a message arrived from the King that Johnston could proceed to a settlement called Angolalla, which was West of Ankober.

At Ankober he dined at the recently established British Embassy, before travelling onwards the same day to Angolalla, where he met with the ambassador Captain Harris.

The supplies Johnston had brought with him were taken to Angolalla and deposited in the palace yard, where the King commanded that they should be opened in his presence.

[1] Johnston left Angolalla to return to Ankober where he stayed several days at the embassy, before travelling to more permanent accommodation in Aliyu Amba.

Johnston gifted the King Chinese silk velvet and a bead purse containing a ring carved from jasper.

Johnston asked to be allowed to stay in Shewa until after the rainy season and then to be given the King's assistance to travel to Enarea.

The King subsequently sent a message to Johnston requiring him to take plenty of medicine and to learn Amharic in preparation for their next meeting.

Johnston selected a gun manufactured by Theophilus Richards of Birmingham, which the King remarked to be his favourite.