Short answers, pulled from the story.
Harold Johnson was born in Evanston, Illinois, and graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He entered the game industry in 1977 despite holding a biology degree and having no initial intention to stay in the field.
Harold Johnson began working at TSR in the fall of 1978 after responding to an advertisement in Dragon magazine. He was hired as an editor rather than a designer and his first assignment involved copy editing the original Dungeon Masters Guide.
Harold Johnson was promoted to Director of Games Research and Development in 1982. This position placed him at the helm of the company's creative direction and included managing the Acquisition Department to decide which new lines and products to bring into the fold.
Harold Johnson married his wife V.J. in 1982 and they had their first child, Allison, in 1984. These personal milestones occurred while he balanced the demands of a high-pressure career with the responsibilities of a growing family.
Harold Johnson created the tournament module C1, Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan, to prove to the company that he could write compelling content. He undertook this project less than seven months after being hired and it later became a significant part of the company's output.