Johnston, James A., 1874-

James A. Johnston was born on May 25, 1926 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He married Dr. Helen Davis in 1952 and had two children. Johnston received his B.A. in chemistry from the University of Texas in 1948 and an M.S. in physiology and biochemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1951. In 1953 he received his Ph.D., also from the University of Minnesota. While at the University of Texas he was a Research Assistant (1945-1949); and while at the University of Minnesota he held the posts of Teaching and Research Assistant (1949-1952), Anderson Research Fellow (1952), and MacMillan Memorial Research Fellow (1952-1953). Johnston went on to the California Institute of Technology as a Research Fellow in Plant Biochemistry (1953-1954). At the University of Texas, Medical Branch he held the posts of Assistant Professor of Bacteriology and Parasitology (1954-1957) and Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Nutrition (1957-1959).

Johnston came to Rutgers in 1959 as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Bacteriology and joined the faculty at the College of Agriculture in 1960 as Associate Professor of Agricultural Biochemistry. While at Rutgers, Johnston taught various courses and was involved in research in biochemistry. He was also active in administrative issues.

On July 27, 1965 Rutgers president Mason W. Gross appointed Johnston to the position of Assistant Provost of Rutgers University. In August 1967 he was promoted to the new post of Associate Provost.

Johnston was a member of Sigma Xi, Phi Sigma, American Chemical Society, New York Academy of Sciences, and the Society of American Microbiologists, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Association of University Professors.

Johnston died on March 26, 1968 at the age of forty-one of an apparent suicide.

Referenced from Rutgers University Library, Special Collections and University Archives, Faculty Bio File—Johnston, James A. (Associate provost; biochemistry).

James A. Johnston was born on 18 May 1858 in Bay City, Michigan. He moved to Montana in 1896 where he stayed until his death in 1916. He had one son, Guy, and two daughters, Ollie and Bessie. Johnston was very active in the Bozeman community. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Brotherhood of the American Yeoman. For nearly eighteen years, he owned and operated a grocery store located in the Masonic building. Johnston sold his business in 1914 to Hans A. Strand. His political career began in 1902 when he was elected Alderman for the Fourth ward in the Bozeman city council. He served as Alderman until 1904. In 1908, Johnston ran on the Republican ticket for Clerk of the Court, an office he held until 1912. After he sold his store in town and retired from politics, Johnston opened a country grocery store at the Springhill station on the north line of the Gallatin Valley railway. This business venture was not as prosperous and nearly destroyed him financially. This failing business coincided with his failing health and on 17 April 1916, Johnston died of Bright's Disease (an inflammation of the kidneys).