Johnson, John Harold (1918-2005), was one of the leading publishers in the United States. He published books and magazines directed mainly to black readers. The magazines include Ebony, a monthly picture and news magazine, and Jet, a weekly news magazine. Johnson began his publishing career in 1942 when he founded the Johnson Publishing Co. in Chicago and started Negro Digest, a literary magazine. He started Ebony in 1945. His firm has published books since 1962. Johnson was also an insurance and banking executive.