Bertha J. Todd was born in London on 20 January 1846 to Elizabeth Mary Hart (1815–1894) and Dr.
Robert Bentley Todd,
FRS (1809–1860). Her father was an enthusiast for nursing and he was a professor at
King's College, London. Her grandfather was
Charles Hawkes Todd. Her uncles included
John Hart,
James Henthord Todd,
William Gowan Todd, and
Armstrong Todd. She grew up with two older sisters and one younger brother: • Elizabeth Marion Todd (1841–1917) unmarried, • Alice Margaret Todd (1843–1916) unmarried, and • James Henthorn Todd (1847–1891) unmarried. Bertha was educated at home. She excelled at music and the arts. She played the piano. Her art work was exhibited at the Royal Academy. She was one of the first women students at the
Slade School of Art. In 1873 she married the Reverend
Arthur Henry Johnson, historian and chaplain of
All Souls College, Oxford (and
Oxford University's 1874 FA Cup winner), and they both enjoyed Oxford university life. He was a curate who also lectured in history. They subsequently lived at 8 Merton Street before settling at 5 South Parks Road. == Advocate for women's education ==