John Johnson (clergyman)

Born at Ludham, Norfolk, Johnson was the son of John Johnson (born 1717), "a well-to-do gentleman", by his marriage to Catherine Dunne, whose father Roger Dunne, of Catfield, was the brother of William Cowper's mother.

Johnson's mother was deeply disappointed to find herself marrying a prosperous older man as his third wife, having been in love with a young but poor Dunne cousin.

[2] In 1789 Johnson wrote a poem called Audley End and first visited Cowper at Weston Underwood, Buckinghamshire, where he became a frequent visitor.

[2] Johnson was ordained a deacon and priest in 1793 and after leaving Cambridge became a curate at Dereham, living there with his sister Catharine (1767–1820).

[1] Their third son, H. R. V. Johnson, was Principal Secretary to Lord Chancellor Campbell, married his daughter Cecilia, and was appointed as one of the six Conveyancing Counsel in the Chancery Division of the High Court.