Date of Birth: June 18, 1940
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: November 2, 2019
Biography
Phillip E. Johnson was an influential American educator and legal scholar, best known for his role in the intelligent design movement. Born on June 18, 1940, in Aurora, Illinois, Johnson’s academic journey led him to acquire a B.A. in English Literature from Harvard University in 1961. He furthered his education with a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1965, where he graduated at the top of his class and served as an editor of the University of Chicago Law Review. Johnson began his career in the legal field clerking for Chief Justice Earl Warren of the U.S. Supreme Court. He then joined the faculty at the University of California, Berkeley, where he became a tenured professor and taught for over three decades. His expertise in criminal law and legal theory earned him widespread respect among his peers. In the early 1990s, Johnson became a central figure in the intelligent design movement, challenging the mainstream scientific consensus on evolution. His seminal work, “Darwin on Trial” (1991), critiqued the evidence supporting Darwinian evolution and advocated for a more open discourse on the origins of life. This book and his subsequent writings and lectures made him a polarizing figure, lauded by proponents of intelligent design and criticized by the scientific community. Johnson’s impact extended beyond academia, as he was an active speaker and debater, engaging with audiences around the world. He passed away on November 2, 2019, but his contributions to the discussion of science and religion continue to resonate.
5 Interesting Facts about Phillip E. Johnson
1. Phillip E. Johnson was a clerk for Chief Justice Earl Warren of the U.S. Supreme Court.
2. He authored the influential book “Darwin on Trial” in 1991, which critiqued Darwinian evolution.
3. Johnson was a tenured professor at the University of California, Berkeley, teaching for over 30 years.
4. He is often regarded as the father of the intelligent design movement.
5. Johnson’s work sparked significant debate and discourse on the intersection of science and religion.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Phillip E. Johnson
1. “The first thing we need to do is get the Bible out of the discussion. We’re not asking for the Bible to be taught in science classes.”
2. “Darwinism is based on an a priori commitment to materialism, not on a philosophically neutral assessment of the evidence.”
3. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
4. “Truth should not be decided by majority vote.”
5. “Our strategy has been to change the subject a bit so that we can get the issue of intelligent design into the schools.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Phillip E. Johnson’s highest net worth is not widely documented or publicized, but his primary contributions were academic rather than financial.
Children
Phillip E. Johnson had two children, a son and a daughter, with his wife, Katherine Johnson.
Relevant Links
3. [Obituary for Phillip E. Johnson](https://evolutionnews.org/2019/11/phillip-e-johnson-1940-2019/
4. [Phillip E. Johnson’s Books on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Phillip-E.-Johnson/e/B000AP9X8C
