Paul Johnson
Biography of Paul Johnson
Full Name and Common Aliases
Paul Bede Johnson, commonly known as Paul Johnson, was a prolific British historian, journalist, and author. Throughout his career, he was often referred to simply as Paul Johnson, a name that became synonymous with insightful historical analysis and commentary.
Birth and Death Dates
Paul Johnson was born on November 2, 1928, and passed away on January 12, 2023. His life spanned nearly a century, during which he witnessed and chronicled significant historical events.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Paul Johnson was a British national. He was a versatile professional, known primarily as a historian and journalist. In addition to these roles, he was also a respected author and editor, contributing to a wide array of publications and writing numerous books that have been influential in both academic and popular circles.
Early Life and Background
Paul Johnson was born in Manchester, England, into a Roman Catholic family. His father, William Aloysius Johnson, was an artist and principal of the Art School in Burslem, Staffordshire. This artistic and intellectual environment fostered Johnson's early interest in history and literature. He attended Stonyhurst College, a Jesuit independent school, which further instilled in him a strong foundation in classical education and critical thinking. Johnson later attended Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied under the tutelage of the renowned historian A.J.P. Taylor. This academic background laid the groundwork for his future career as a historian and writer.
Major Accomplishments
Paul Johnson's career was marked by numerous accomplishments. He began his professional journey as a journalist, working for the New Statesman, where he eventually became the editor. Under his leadership, the magazine became a prominent voice in British intellectual and political life. Johnson's transition from journalism to writing full-length historical works marked a significant turning point in his career. His ability to synthesize complex historical narratives into engaging prose made his books widely popular.
Notable Works or Actions
Among Paul Johnson's most notable works are his comprehensive histories, including "Modern Times: A History of the World from the 1920s to the 1980s," "A History of the American People," and "Intellectuals: From Marx and Tolstoy to Sartre and Chomsky." These works are characterized by their broad scope and insightful analysis, offering readers a panoramic view of historical developments and their implications. Johnson's writing is distinguished by its clarity, wit, and ability to engage both scholarly and general audiences.
Impact and Legacy
Paul Johnson's impact on the field of history and journalism is profound. His works have been translated into multiple languages, reaching a global audience and influencing both public discourse and academic study. Johnson's ability to connect historical events with contemporary issues has made his writings enduringly relevant. His legacy is not only in the books he wrote but also in the way he inspired readers to think critically about history and its role in shaping the present and future.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Paul Johnson is widely quoted and remembered for his incisive commentary and ability to distill complex historical events into accessible narratives. His quotes often reflect a deep understanding of human nature and the forces that drive historical change. Johnson's work is frequently cited by scholars, journalists, and policymakers, attesting to its lasting influence. His ability to articulate the lessons of history in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences ensures that his insights remain relevant and thought-provoking.
In summary, Paul Johnson's contributions to history and journalism have left an indelible mark on both fields. His ability to engage readers with compelling narratives and insightful analysis has made him a respected and widely quoted figure. His legacy continues to inspire those who seek to understand the past and its impact on the present.
Quotes by Paul Johnson
One modern academic lists Rousseau’s shortcomings as follows: he was a ‘masochist, exhibitionist, neurasthenic, hypochondriac, onanist, latent homosexual afflicted by the typical urge for repeated displacements, incapable of normal or parental affection, incipient paranoiac, narcissistic introvert rendered unsocial by his illness, filled with guilt feelings, pathologically timid, a kleptomaniac, infantilist, irritable and miserly’.
The Holocaust was planned; and Hitler planned it. That is the only conclusion which makes sense of the whole horrifying process.
Mr. Churchill, sir, to what do you attribute your success in life?” Without pause or hesitation, he replied: “Conservation of energy. Never stand up when you can sit down, and never sit down when you can lie down.” He.
Not interested in food or drink, he ate his meals, if he had any choice in the matter, in ten minutes and never caroused. No one ever saw him drunk.
The fact is, the Mosaic code was far more humane than any other, because, being God-centred, it was automatically man-centred also.
This book is dedicated to the people of America – strong, outspoken, intense in their convictions, sometimes wrong-headed but always generous and brave, with a passion for justice no nation has ever matched.
It is one of the many ironies of this period that, at a time when the intelligentsia were excoriating Mellon for tax-evasion, and contrasting the smooth-running Soviet planned economy with the breakdown in America, he was secretly exploiting the frantic necessities of the Soviet leaders to form the basis of one of America’s most splendid public collections.
Confusion has always surrounded Rousseau’s political ideas because he was in many respects an inconsistent and contradictory.