Career
Johnson was born in Southgate, England (then a part of Middlesex) and at age 13 began working with George Hall, Midland Railway architect. At 19 he moved to London, presumably to continue his architectural career. In 1867, Johnson moved to Melbourne, where he produced most of his major works.
In 1898, while at sea on return to Melbourne from Perth, Western Australia, Johnson contracted septicemia, and died.