William Johnson: The Barber of Natchez who Wrote History

William Johnson, a free black barber in 19th-century Natchez, Mississippi, built a thriving business and left behind one of the most detailed firsthand accounts of antebellum life. His diaries, hidden for 75 years in the attic of his home, reveal stories of entrepreneurship, family, and resilience in a time of social limitations. Discover how his legacy lives on today at the William Johnson House, part of the Natchez National Historical Park. Read more about his life and impact in our latest blog.