John Brooks Henderson Jr. (February 18, 1870 – January 4, 1923) was an American diplomat, educator, and malacologist.
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Early life
Henderson was born in Pike County, Missouri on February 18, 1870. He was the son of United States Senator John Brooks Henderson and social activist Mary Foote Henderson, who was known as "The Empress of Sixteenth Street." His father was known as the Senator who introduced the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution that abolished slavery and one of seven Republicans who voted for acquittal during the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson in May 1868.
His maternal grandparents were Eunice (née Newton) Foote, a scientist and women's rights campaigner, and Elisha Foote, a prominent lawyer and judge. His grandfather Elisha was the brother of prominent politician Samuel Foote, who served as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, and Governor of Connecticut in the early 1800s.
Henderson graduated from Harvard University in 1891 and received his degree in law from Columbian University (now George Washington University) in 1893.