Basil A. Paterson
Basil A. Paterson | |
---|---|
Deputy Mayor of New York City | |
In office January 1, 1978 – January 1, 1979 | |
Appointed by | Ed Koch |
Personal details | |
Born | Basil Alexander Paterson April 27, 1926 New York City, U.S. |
Died | April 16, 2014 New York City, U.S. | (aged 87)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Portia Hairston |
Children | 2, including David |
Education | St. John's University (BS, JD) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Basil Alexander Paterson (April 27, 1926 – April 16, 2014) was an American labor lawyer and politician. He served in the
Birth and early life
Paterson was born in Harlem on April 27, 1926,[2] the son of Leonard James and Evangeline Alicia (Rondon) Paterson.[3] His father was born on the island of Carriacou in the Grenadines and arrived in New York City aboard the S.S. Vestris on May 16, 1917.[4][5][6][7] His mother was born in Kingston, Jamaica and arrived in Philadelphia on September 9, 1919, aboard the S.S. Vestnorge (with a final destination of New York City).[1] A stenographer by profession,[1] the former Miss Rondon once served as a secretary for Marcus Garvey.[2]
In 1942, at the age of 16, Paterson graduated from
Education
Paterson attended college at
Political career
Harlem Clubhouse
Paterson became involved in Democratic politics in Harlem in the 1950s. Along with former Mayor David Dinkins, Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton, and Congressman Charles Rangel, he was a leader of the influential Gang of Four (also known as the "Harlem Clubhouse").[10]
New York State Senate
Paterson was elected to the New York State Senate in 1966 and represented the Upper West Side and Harlem in the 176th, 177th and 178th New York State Legislatures. While in office, he played a key role in preventing Columbia University from building a gym in Morningside Park.[8]
Lieutenant Governor campaign
In
The Goldberg/Paterson ticket ultimately lost to Republican incumbents Gov.
Appointments
In 1972, Paterson was the first elected African American Vice Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.[13]
In 1978, Paterson was appointed
As Koch prepared to seek a third term in 1985, Paterson explored a mayoral candidacy of his own but ultimately chose not to run.[14]
Mario Cuomo appointed Paterson to the board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 1989.[13] Paterson served from 1989 to 1995.
Andrew Cuomo appointed Paterson to the Board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 2013.[15]
Paterson chaired the New York City Mayor's Judiciary Committee for four years and the New York State Governor's Judicial Screening Panel for the Second Department for eight years. He ended his tenure at the Commission on Judicial Nominations after serving for twelve years. Paterson was appointed by Mario Cuomo to the State Committee's and Michael Bloomberg to the city's Judiciary Committee.[16][17]
Personal life and family
Paterson was Catholic.[18] Outside of public service, he was a member of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. and co-chaired the firm's labor law practice.[9]
Paterson was the father of 55th Governor of New York David Paterson. David, prior to his tenure as Governor, served in the state Senate from 1985 to 2006. David ran at the behest of Percy Sutton, after the death of Leon Bogues. David rose to the post of state senate minority leader from 2003 to 2006. He was subsequently elected lieutenant governor in 2006 on a ticket with Gov. Eliot Spitzer. David Paterson succeeded to the governor's office upon Spitzer's resignation on March 17, 2008. Basil was present at his son's swearing in and was recognized by his son during his speech.
Death and legacy
Paterson died on April 16, 2014, at
Further reading
- Black, Blind, & In Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity." New York, New York, 2020
- Dinkins, David, A Mayor's Life: Governing New York's Gorgeous Mosaic, PublicAffairs Books, 2013
- Rangel, Charles B.; Wynter, Leon (2007) And I Haven't Had a Bad Day Since: From the Streets of Harlem to the Halls of Congress New York: St. Martin's Press.
- Walker, John C.The Harlem Fox: J. Raymond Jones at Tammany 1920:1970, New York: State University New York Press, 1989.
- Howell, Ron Boss of Black Brooklyn: The Life and Times of Bertram L. Baker Fordham University Press Bronx, New York 2018
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Philadelphia Passenger Lists, 1800-1945 [database on-line]". United States: The Generations Network. September 9, 1919. Archived from the original on July 19, 2008. Retrieved July 19, 2008.
- ^ a b c "The Honorable Basil Paterson". The History Makers. January 18, 2007. Archived from the original on August 20, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ISBN 0-7876-2469-1.
- ^ Best, Tony (March 16, 2008). "Paterson claims Caribbean roots". The Daily Nation. Barbados. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2008.
- ^ "New NY Governor is son of Caribbean nationals". Barbados: Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on March 15, 2008. Retrieved March 20, 2008.
- ^ "World War I Draft Registration Card [database on-line]". United States: The Generations Network. June 5, 1917. Archived from the original on July 17, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
- ^ "New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]". United States: The Generations Network. May 16, 1917. Archived from the original on July 17, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
- ^ a b Herbert, Bob (March 15, 2008). "The Winds of Albany". The New York Times. Retrieved March 20, 2008.
- ^ a b "Basil A. Paterson". United States: Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. Archived from the original on April 12, 2008. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
- ^ Schapiro, Rich (December 27, 2009). "Harlem 'trailblazer', former World War II Tuskegee Airmen Percy Sutton dies". Daily News. New York.
- ^ Roberts, Sam (December 27, 2006). "Paterson & Son, Offices in Harlem and Albany". The New York Times.
- ^ "New York Leaders: Governor David A. Paterson".
- ^ a b "The Honorable Basil Paterson's Biography".
- ^ Douglas, Carlyle C.; Finder, Alan (September 30, 1984). "Paterson Decides To Keep His Hat On His Head". The New York Times.
- ^ "Basil Paterson Named Port Authority Commissioner". Meyer Suozzi.
- ^ "Basil Alexander Paterson". October 11, 2015.
- ^ "Paterson, Basil 2016" (PDF). cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
- ^ "Basil Paterson dead, trailblazing NY politician and former Gov. David Paterson's father was 87". Newsday. November 2, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ^ Roberts, Sam (December 27, 2006). "Paterson & Son, Offices in Harlem and Albany". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 10, 2009. Retrieved March 20, 2008.
- ^ "Why David Paterson's Book of Trials Resonates". spectrumlocalnews.com.
- ISBN 9781510756335.