James Johnson (bishop of Worcester)

James Johnson (1705 – 28 November 1774) was an English prelate, successively Bishop of Gloucester (1752–59) and of Worcester (1759–74).

James Johnson was born in Melford, Suffolk, to James Johnson (author and priest) and Anne Cuthbert. His grandfather was George Johnson, a Judge and Councilor of Charles II. He was educated at Westminster School in London and became a King's Scholar before matriculating to Christ Church, Oxford, graduating B.A. in 1728 (M.A. in 1731), and B.D. and D.D. in 1742.

Ordained deacon and priest in 1731, Johnson became Second Master of Westminster School (1733–1748) and held the rectory of Turweston (1741–1744), then concurrently the rectory of Berkhampstead (1743–1759) and of Mixbury (1744–1759), and the vicarage of Watford (1744–1759).

In 1748 he was appointed a chaplain to King George II and canon residentiary of St. Paul's Cathedral. In 1752 he was consecrated Bishop of Gloucester but was quickly embroiled in a scandal involving allegations of Jacobitism. Christopher Fawcett had gossiped to Lord Ravensworth that Johnson, Andrew Stone and William Murray had drunk to the health of the Pretender in their youth. The allegations were brought all the way to the House of Lords and were subsequently thrown out.

...
Wikipedia