Cave Johnson

Cave Johnson (January 11, 1793 – November 23, 1866) was for fourteen years a Democratic U.S. Congressman from Tennessee.

For the video game character, see Cave Johnson (Portal).
Cave Johnson
12th United States Postmaster General
In office
March 6, 1845 – March 4, 1849
PresidentJames K. Polk
Preceded byCharles A. Wickliffe
Succeeded byJacob Collamer
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Tennessee's 9th district
In office
March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845
Preceded byHarvey Watterson
Succeeded byLucien Chase
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Tennessee's 11th district
In office
March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1843
Preceded byRichard Cheatham
Succeeded byMilton Brown
In office
March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1837
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byRichard Cheatham
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Tennessee's 8th district
In office
March 4, 1829 – March 3, 1833
Preceded byJohn Hartwell Marable
Succeeded byDavid W. Dickinson
Personal details
Born(1793-01-11)January 11, 1793
Robertson County, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedNovember 23, 1866(1866-11-23) (aged 73)
Clarksville, Tennessee, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Elizabeth Dortch Brunson
EducationCumberland University

Biography

He acted as one of the campaign managers for presidential candidate James K. Polk at both the Democratic party convention and for the general election. After his victory Polk appointed him United States Postmaster General, a post in which he served from 1845–1849. He was born in Robertson County, Tennessee, and died in Clarksville, Tennessee.[1]

During his tenure as United States Postmaster General he shifted the department from a collect on delivery postage delivery system to a prepaid postal delivery system by introducing the postage stamp in 1847. He is also credited with introducing street corner mail boxes in urban areas. He later served as president of the Third Bank of Tennessee from 1854 to 1860.

References
  1. John, Pinheiro. "Cave Johnson (1845–1849): Postmaster General". American President: An Online Reference Resource. University of Virginia. Archived from the original on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
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