Johnson, Robert, Bl.
JOHNSON, ROBERT, BL.
Priest, martyr; b. Shropshire, England; d. hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn (London), May 28, 1582. Johnson entered the German College in Rome on Oct. 1, 1571, but completed his seminary studies at the English College in Douai. Following his ordination at Brussels (April 1576), he labored in London for six years interrupted only by a pilgrimage to Rome (1579) and imprisonment. He was arrested July 12, 1580 and imprisoned at the Poultry Counter until he was transferred to the Tower of London (December 5). Johnson endured the rack (December 16), then was thrust into an underground dungeon until his trial (November 14) at which he was found guilty on the fictitious charge of conspiring against the king at Rome and Rheims. On November 20, he was condemned. He was executed with BB. Thomas ford and John shert, who were also implicated in the same "plot." He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII.
Feast of the English Martyrs: May 4 (England).
See Also: england, scotland, and wales, martyrs of.
Bibliography: r. challoner, Memoirs of Missionary Priests, ed. j. h. pollen (rev. ed. London 1924; repr. Farnborough 1969). j. h. pollen, Acts of English Martyrs (London 1891).
[k. i. rabenstein]