Cornelius Johnson

Who was Cornelius Johnson?

Cornelius Cooper Johnson was an African-American athlete in the high jump.

Born in Los Angeles in 1913, Cornelius Johnson first competed in organized track and field events at Berendo Junior High School. He achieved greater athletic success as a student at Los Angeles High School, competing in the sprint and in the high jump.

At the Los Angeles Olympics in 1932, Johnson, who was then an 18 year old high school student, placed fourth in the high jump under the existing tiebreaker rules. Had the current rules been in force, he would have won the silver medal.

During 1934-? Johnson attended Compton College and with coach Herschel Smith continued his high jump career.

In 1936 Johnson was one of 19 African Americans at the Berlin Olympics, where he won the gold. Johnson's winning height of 2.03m was an Olympic record and he tried unsuccessfully for the world record.

Johnson was the co-holder of the world record for the high jump for the year 1936-37 and won eight career U.S. titles.

After retiring from the high jump, he became a letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Los Angeles, and in 1945 he joined the U.S. Merchant Marine.