William Ransom Johnson (1782--1849)

William R. Johnson lived near here at Oakland. Called the “Napoleon of the Turf,” he was the most prominent figure in American horse racing early in the 19th century. His success depended in part on the labor of enslaved grooms, jockeys, and trainers. Johnson won national fame during the many North-South match races held between the 1820s and 1840s. The best-known of these, American Eclipse vs. Sir Henry in 1823, drew tens of thousands of spectators and was among the first sports events to generate nationwide interest. When Johnson’s Sir Henry lost, some bettors reportedly lost fortunes. Johnson served several terms in the Virginia legislature between 1818 and 1836. He died in Mobile, AL.

Department of Historic Resources, 2022