Benton Johnson

Guy Benton Johnson Jr. (August 19, 1928 – January 8, 2024) was an American sociologist and professor emeritus of the University of Oregon's Department of Sociology.

Benton Johnson
Born	(1928-08-19)August 19, 1928 Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.
Died	January 8, 2024(2024-01-08) (aged 95) Eugene, Oregon, U.S.
Occupation	Sociologist
Spouse	Miriam M. Johnson
Children	Shannon Rebekah
Parent(s)	Guy Benton Johnson Guion Griffis Johnson

Biography

Guy Benton Johnson Jr. was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on August 19, 1928,^[1] the son of Guy Benton Johnson and Guion Griffis Johnson. He was named after his father, but was called "Benny" and continued to use "Benton" in adulthood.^[2]

Johnson's father was a sociologist and anthropologist, while his mother was a noted historian.^[3] While in college, Johnson met Miriam Massey. They married on July 21, 1951.^[4] Miriam also pursued a successful career in sociology, focusing on family issues and gender roles. Together they had two children.^[5]

Johnson died on January 8, 2024, at the age of 95.^[6]

Academic career

Johnson is best known for his work related to the theory and typology of religious movements. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and then, in 1954, a doctorate in Sociology from Harvard University.^[7] While at Harvard, he was a student of Talcott Parsons.

Prior to joining the Department of Sociology at the University of Oregon, Johnson taught at Guilford College and the University of Texas at Austin. He has chaired both the University of Oregon's Sociology Department and its Department of Religious Studies.

Between 1972 and 1974, Johnson was Editor of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. He has served as president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (1980–81), the Association for the Sociology of Religion (1987) and the Religious Research Association (1995–96).^[8]

Awards

Vanishing Boundaries: the Religion of Protestant Baby Boomers,^[9] co-written by Johnson, received the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion's annual book award in 1994.^[10]

See also

• List of cult and new religious movement researchers
• List of sociologists

References

1. "Guy Benton Johnson Jr". U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
2. Johnson, Guy (June 2006). "Guy Benton Johnson Papers, 1830–1882, 1901–1987". University of North Carolina, Louis Round Wilson Special Collections Library. Archived from the original on 17 June 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
3. Thomas, Harry. "Guion Griffis Johnson: A Pioneering Scholar". University of North Carolina, University Library. Archived from the original on 16 June 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
4. "Obituaries", The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon. 24 November 2007.
5. Jean, Stockard; Benton Johnson (2007-02-01). "Miriam Johnson 1928–2007". American Sociological Association. 36 (2). Retrieved 2010-02-22.
6. "Guy Benton Johnson Jr". The Register-Guard. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
7. U of O (2009). "Sociology". University of Oregon. Archived from the original on 13 February 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
8. Swatos, William H.; Peter Kivisto. 1998. "Benton (Guy) Johnson", Encyclopedia of Religion and Society. Latham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc./Altamira Press (ISBN 978-0-7619-8956-1), pp. 251–52.
9. Hoge, Dean R.; Benton Johnson, Donald A. Luidens. 1994. Vanishing Boundaries: the Religion of Mainline Protestant Baby Boomers. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster/John Knox Press (ISBN 978-0-664-25492-6)
10. "Annual Awards and Grants". Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. Archived from the original on 6 February 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.