Allan G. Johnson was a distinguished sociologist, writer, and public speaker, whose comprehensive work on privilege, power, and social difference marked him as a key figure in contemporary social science. Born in Washington, D.C., in 1946, Johnson's early years were shaped by a transnational experience, spending part of his childhood in Oslo, Norway, where his father worked at the US Embassy. This exposure to diverse cultures at an early age likely influenced his later work in sociology, which deeply explored the nuances of social inequality across different contexts.

Johnson completed his Bachelor's degrees in Sociology and English at Dartmouth College, an education that provided a dual lens through which he viewed societal issues, combining the narrative sensitivity of literature with the analytical rigor of sociology. He furthered his academic pursuit at the University of Michigan, where he earned a PhD in Sociology with a dissertation focusing on women's roles in Mexico City. This early interest in gender dynamics foreshadowed his lifelong engagement with issues of gender, race, and class.

After receiving his PhD, Johnson took up a faculty position at Wesleyan University, contributing significantly to the sociology department before transitioning to Hartford College for Women, where he expanded his influence into women's studies.