John Johnson (1540-1594), English lutenist and composer was lutenist to Elizabeth I from 1581 until his death. Most of his works, nearly all for lute or lute duet, are pavanes, galliards, or settings of popular tunes. He developed the lute duet to a high technical standard. Some of his music survives in manuscript at Cambridge, in the Marsh Manuscripts in Dublin, and the Weld Lutebook. A keyboard arrangement of 'The Flat Pavan' by Giles Farnaby survives, as well as an anonymous keyboard arrangement in manuscript. He was the father of composer Robert Johnson.
