Базил Патерсон: Американ саяхатшысы және заңгерінің өмірі мен қызметі

American politician and lawyer (1926–2014)

Basil Alexander Paterson (April 27, 1926 – April 16, 2014) was an American labor lawyer and politician. He served in the New York State Senate from 1966 to 1971 and as secretary of state of New York under Governor Hugh Carey from 1979 to 1983. In 1970, Paterson was the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of New York on the Arthur Goldberg ticket. Paterson's son David served as governor from 2008 to 2011.

Paterson was born in Harlem on April 27, 1926, the son of Leonard James and Evangeline Alicia (Rondon) Paterson. 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. 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).

Paterson attended college at St. John's University, but his studies were interrupted by a two year stint in the U. S. Army during World War II. After serving honorably, he returned to St. John's to complete his undergraduate studies. While there, he was active in social and community service organizations including the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity—where he joined the ranks of the Omicron chapter of New York (now at Columbia University) in 1947. Paterson graduated with a B. S. degree in biology in 1948. He was later admitted to St. John's University Law School, where he received a Juris Doctor degree in 1951.

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").

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. The Goldberg/Paterson ticket ultimately lost to Republican incumbents Gov. Nelson Rockefeller and Lt. Gov. Malcolm Wilson. Paterson was passed over for the 1974 Governor's race even though he was the highest vote getter in 1970. His son, David Paterson, would go on to become Lt. Governor in January 2007.

Paterson was Catholic. Outside of public service, he was a member of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P. C. and co chaired the firm's labor law practice. In 2020 David Paterson published a biography titled Black, Blind, & In Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity.