William Paterson was an influential Founding Father of theUnited States, known for his contributions to the U.S. Constitution and judicial system. Born in County Antrim, Ireland, on December 24, 1745, he immigrated toAmerica as a child and later studied law at Princeton University.
Paterson played a key role in the Constitutional Conventionof 1787, where he championed the rights of smaller states by proposing the New Jersey Plan, advocating for equal representation in Congress regardless of state size. This ultimately contributed to the Great Compromise, whichestablished the bicameral legislature—the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with equal representation.
Beyond his constitutional work, Paterson served as NewJersey’s first U.S. Senator, later resigning to become the Governor of New Jersey. In 1793, President George Washington appointed him as an AssociateJustice of the U.S. Supreme Court, where he helped shape early American law, including the Judiciary Act of 1789.
Paterson passed away on September 9, 1806, in Albany, NewYork. His legacy lives on, including in the city of Paterson, New Jersey, which was named in his honor.
