Basil A. Paterson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Basil A. Paterson
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| 58th Secretary of State of New York | |
| In office January 1, 1979 – January 1, 1983 |
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| Governor | Hugh Carey |
| Preceded by | Mario Cuomo |
| Succeeded by | Gail S. Shaffer |
| Member of the New York State Senate | |
| In office January 1, 1966 – December 31, 1970 |
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| Preceded by | Bernard G. Gordon |
| Succeeded by | Sidney A. von Luther |
| Constituency | 31st district (1966) 27th district (1967–1970) |
| Deputy Mayor of New York City | |
| In office January 1, 1978 – January 1, 1979 |
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| Appointed by | Ed Koch |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Basil Alexander Paterson
April 27, 1926 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | April 16, 2014 (aged 87) New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Portia Hairston |
| Children | 2, including David |
| Alma mater | St. John's University (B.S., J.D.) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Basil Alexander Paterson (born April 27, 1926 – died April 16, 2014) was an important American lawyer and politician. He was known for his work in labor law and for serving in various government roles. One of his sons, David Paterson, later became the Governor of New York.
Basil Paterson served in the New York State Senate from 1966 to 1971. He also held the position of Secretary of State of New York from 1979 to 1983 under Governor Hugh Carey. In 1970, he ran for Lieutenant Governor of New York.
Contents
Early Life and Background
Basil Paterson was born in Harlem, New York City, on April 27, 1926. His parents were Leonard James and Evangeline Alicia (Rondon) Paterson. His father came from the island of Carriacou in the Grenadines. His mother was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She worked as a stenographer, which is like a secretary. She even worked for Marcus Garvey, a famous leader.
Facing Challenges Early On
Basil graduated from De Witt Clinton High School in the Bronx when he was just 16 years old. He learned about unfair treatment, like racism, early in his life. He once shared a story about a Christmas party at his first job. He and other Black employees were paid not to attend the party. This experience helped shape his views on fairness and equality.
Education and Military Service
Paterson started college at St. John's University. However, his studies were paused when he joined the U.S. Army. He served for two years during World War II.
Returning to Studies
After his military service, he went back to St. John's University. He was very active in community service groups. He joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in 1947. In 1948, he earned a B.S. degree in biology. He then went on to St. John's University Law School. He received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in 1951, becoming a lawyer.
Political Career Highlights
Basil Paterson became involved in politics in Harlem during the 1950s. He was a key figure in the Democratic Party.
The Harlem Clubhouse Leaders
He was part of an important group known as the "Harlem Clubhouse." This group included other influential leaders. These were former Mayor David Dinkins, Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton, and Congressman Charles Rangel. Together, they worked to make a difference in their community.
Serving in the New York State Senate
In 1966, Paterson was elected to the New York State Senate. He represented areas like the Upper West Side and Harlem. During his time in the Senate, he helped stop Columbia University from building a gym in Morningside Park. This showed his dedication to protecting community spaces.
Running for Lieutenant Governor
In 1970, Paterson decided to run for Lieutenant Governor of New York. He ran alongside Arthur Goldberg, a former U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Even though they lost the election to Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Lt. Governor Malcolm Wilson, Paterson received many votes. His son, David Paterson, would later become Lieutenant Governor in 2007.
Important Appointments and Roles
Basil Paterson held several significant positions. In 1972, he became the first African American Vice Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Serving New York City and State
In 1978, Ed Koch, the Mayor of New York City, appointed Paterson as Deputy Mayor of New York City. He held this role for about a year. In 1979, he became the Secretary of State of New York under Governor Hugh Carey. He was the first African-American to hold this important state position. He served until 1983.
Paterson also served on the board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He was appointed by Governor Mario Cuomo in 1989 and served until 1995. Later, in 2013, Governor Andrew Cuomo also appointed him to the same board.
Personal Life and Family
Basil Paterson was a member of the Catholic faith. Outside of his government work, he was a lawyer at a firm called Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. He helped lead the firm's labor law practice.
A Family of Public Service
Basil Paterson was the father of David Paterson, who became the 55th Governor of New York. Before becoming governor, David served in the state Senate from 1985 to 2006. He even became the state senate minority leader. In 2006, David was elected Lieutenant Governor. He then became governor in 2008 when Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned. Basil Paterson was there to see his son sworn in as governor.
Death and Lasting Impact
Basil Paterson passed away on April 16, 2014, in Manhattan. He was almost 88 years old. His life showed a strong commitment to public service and fighting for fairness. In 2020, his son David Paterson wrote a book about his father. The book is titled Black, Blind, & In Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity.
See also
- 1970 New York gubernatorial election
- 1970 New York state election
