William B. Johnson (1839-1911) was born in Coventry, England, and died in Brookline, Massachusetts. He emigrated to the United States in about 1843, eventually settling in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a Civil War veteran, serving in the 1st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company E. After the War he worked as an iron moulder at a foundry in the South Boston neighborhood of Boston. He became interested in Christian Science in about 1883, when he received Christian Science treatment through prayer from Mary E. Harris, a student of Mary Baker Eddy's. Johnson studied with Eddy, completing the Primary class in February 1884 and joining the Christian Scientist Association in March 1884. He was one of the four people named as The Christian Science Board of Directors under the Deed of Trust dated September 1, 1892. He was also one of the First Members of The Mother Church, later known as "Executive Members," who were the original members when the church was formed on September 23, 1892. There were twelve original First Members. He continued to serve on the Board of Directors for 16 years. In September 1892 he was also appointed as the first Clerk of The Mother Church, serving for 17 years until May 1909.

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