John T. Johnston

John Taylor Johnston was one of the best known and most honored and useful citizens of this city. He was of Scotch descent, and the best characteristics of that strong race were conspicuous in him. He was liberally educated and trained as a lawyer, and early became engaged in managing the nucleus of the railroad, which, from a small beginning, has developed into the great Central Railroad of New Jersey; and which owes to him, first of all, the broad foundation on which its system is built up. It was the great work of his life, the one to which his best years were devoted, and will always be a monument to his forethought and energy.

He was one of the earliest, and always one of the most prominent, of the promoters of the interests of art in this city. His picture gallery was the most important in America. It was always open once a week to the public; and once a year he dispensed a generous hospitality there to all the artists of New York. Those who have shared it will recall with the keenest pleasure the memory of those delightful afternoons.

He was the founder of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and gave it always his most watchful and earnest care. The acquisition of many of its most valuable collections was largely due to his generosity. He was its President as long as his health lasted; and was never absent from its annual meetings until he was physically incapacitated from attending them.

He was President of the Governing Board of the University of the City of New York; a member of the Boards of the Presbyterian and the Woman’s Hospitals; and always earnest in good work. His gifts to charitable objects were generous and constant; and he fulfilled all the requirements of a broad minded, liberal and leading citizen, and as such he will always be remembered.

Henry E. Howland
1894 Century Association Yearbook