Politician. He was a longtime political leader in New York and Harlem. In 1942, at the age of 16, he graduated from De Witt Clinton High School in the Bronx. He attended college at St. John's University, but he did a two-year stint in the U.S. Army during World War II. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned to St. John's to complete his undergraduate studies, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in biology in 1948. He later attended St. John's Law School, where he received a Juris Doctor degree in 1951. In the 1950's and 1960's he became involved in Democratic politics in Harlem. In 1965, he was elected to the New York State Senate representing the Upper West Side of New York City and Harlem. In 1978, he was appointed as a Deputy Mayor of New York City by Mayor Ed Koch. In 1979 he became Secretary of State of New York, the first African American person to have held the post, and served until 1982. He was a member of the law firm of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. and served as co-chair of the firm's labor law practice. He was the father of former New York Governor David Paterson, who was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2006. When his son became lieutenant governor, he said that fact may actually "get in the way" of his livelihood as a negotiator and lawyer for the Hospital Workers and Teamsters unions.
Politician. He was a longtime political leader in New York and Harlem. In 1942, at the age of 16, he graduated from De Witt Clinton High School in the Bronx. He attended college at St. John's University, but he did a two-year stint in the U.S. Army during World War II. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned to St. John's to complete his undergraduate studies, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in biology in 1948. He later attended St. John's Law School, where he received a Juris Doctor degree in 1951. In the 1950's and 1960's he became involved in Democratic politics in Harlem. In 1965, he was elected to the New York State Senate representing the Upper West Side of New York City and Harlem. In 1978, he was appointed as a Deputy Mayor of New York City by Mayor Ed Koch. In 1979 he became Secretary of State of New York, the first African American person to have held the post, and served until 1982. He was a member of the law firm of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. and served as co-chair of the firm's labor law practice. He was the father of former New York Governor David Paterson, who was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2006. When his son became lieutenant governor, he said that fact may actually "get in the way" of his livelihood as a negotiator and lawyer for the Hospital Workers and Teamsters unions.
Bio by: Babe
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