Timothy D. Johnson

Tim Johnson is The Elizabeth Gentry Brown Professor of History at Lipscomb University in Nashville where he has taught since 1991. He has written articles for scholarly journals, popular magazines, and encyclopedias, and he is the author/editor of nine books. His primary interest is late 18th to mid-19th century American history including topics related to politics, diplomacy, army professionalization, Mexican War, and Civil War.

In 2026 Bloomsbury Publishing will release Johnson's biography of General Robert R. Neyland, legendary football coach at the University of Tennessee and US Army officer. The book gives significant attention to Neyland's often ignored military career and its release will coincide with the 100th anniversary of his first year as the Volunteer coach.

Johnson has been a research fellow at Yale University and the Virginia Historical Society. He has appeared on The History Channel, C-SPAN and Public Television. Raised in East Ridge, Tennessee, Johnson has been married to his wife, Jayne, since 1978, and they have three sons and six grandchildren.