Collection F2088 - William J. Patterson collection

William John (Bill) Patterson (1930 - ) was born in Kingston, Ontario. Raised on the prison farm of Kingston Penitentiary (his father was the farm superintendent), he attended Kingston Collegeiate Institute. Folllowing his graduation, he entered Queen's University at Kingston in the autumn of 1949, from where he received a B.A. (Honours) in History in 1953, and an M.A. four years later. During his student days, he joined the Princess of Wales' Own Regiment, and upon completing his studies, he became a member of the Canadian Army Regular, where he served for ten years with the 1st Battalion, the Canadian Guards in Germany; then as a staff officer with National Defence in Ottawa; and finally, as the Deputy Commander of the Central Militia (Ontario) Area. In 1974, with the rank of Colonel, he left the military for the post of Superintendant of Historic Sites for the St. Lawrence Parks Commission, with responsibility for the administration of Old Fort Henry and Upper Canada Village. His honours include the order of Military Merit; the Canadian Forces Decoration with Clasp; and in retirement, the rank of Brigadier-General. After many years of residing in Cornwall, Ontario, he retired to Pittsburgh Township (Kingston), the locale of his United Empire Loyalist roots. The author of a number of historical works, including his love of reseaech and his devotion to writing history continues unabated. William J.Patterson was pre-deceased by his wife, Delores Pollitt of Kingston, in 2002.