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'''William Samuel Johnson''' (b. October 7, 1727; d. November 14, 1819) was a lawyer and politician from [[Connecticut]].  He attended the Federal [[Constitutional Convention]] and signed the [[United States Constitution]].

'''William Samuel Johnson''' (b. October 7, 1727; d. November 14, 1819) was a lawyer and politician from [[Connecticut]].  He attended the Federal [[Constitutional Convention]] and signed the [[United States Constitution]].

==Early Life==

==Early Life==

Johnson was born in Stratford, Connecticut, on October 7, 1727.  As a child, he was [[homeschooled]], receiving private tutoring from his father, [[Samuel Johnson]].  He attended both [[Yale]] and [[Harvard]], graduating from the former in 1744 and the latter in 1747.  Following graduation, he pursued a course of study in law, and entered practice in Stratford. <ref>http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=J000182</ref>

Johnson was born in Stratford, Connecticut, on October 7, 1727.  As a child, he was [[homeschooled]], receiving private tutoring from his father, [[Samuel Johnson]].  He attended both [[Yale]] and [[Harvard]], graduating from the former in 1744 and the latter in 1747.  Following graduation, he pursued a course of study in law, and entered practice in Stratford. <ref>http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=J000182</ref>

==Continental Congress==

==Continental Congress==

Johnson rejected his election to the First Continental Congress due to a desire to avoid extreme measures and reach a compromise with [[Britain]].  This decision provoked strong Patriot criticism and resulted in the loss of his militia command.  Later, however, Johnson wholeheartedly embraced the cause of independence, recognizing that compromise was not a viable option.  He served in the Continental Congress from 1785-1787, and enjoyed great popularity and influence with the other delegates.  <ref>http://www.history.army.mil/books/RevWar/ss/johnson.htm</ref>

Johnson rejected his election to the First Continental Congress due to a desire to avoid extreme measures and reach a compromise with [[Britain]].  This decision provoked strong Patriot criticism and resulted in the loss of his militia command.  Later, however, Johnson wholeheartedly embraced the cause of independence, recognizing that compromise was not a viable option.  He served in the Continental Congress from 1785-1787, and enjoyed great popularity and influence with the other delegates.  <ref>http://www.history.army.mil/books/RevWar/ss/johnson.htm</ref>

==Constitutional Convention==

==Constitutional Convention==

Fittingly, Johnson became one of Connecticut's first Senators in 1789, taking up service in the chamber he had done so much to help create.  He served in this position until 1791.  During this time, he also served as the first president of [[Columbia College]], a position to which he had ascended in 1787. As president, he worked to improve the school's prestige and academic standing while retaining its strongly religious character.  When the federal government moved from New York to Philadelphia, Johnson chose private service over public office, remaining in his capacity as president of Columbia until 1800. <ref>http://www.history.army.mil/books/RevWar/ss/johnson.htm</ref>  

Fittingly, Johnson became one of Connecticut's first Senators in 1789, taking up service in the chamber he had done so much to help create.  He served in this position until 1791.  During this time, he also served as the first president of [[Columbia College]], a position to which he had ascended in 1787. As president, he worked to improve the school's prestige and academic standing while retaining its strongly religious character.  When the federal government moved from New York to Philadelphia, Johnson chose private service over public office, remaining in his capacity as president of Columbia until 1800. <ref>http://www.history.army.mil/books/RevWar/ss/johnson.htm</ref>  

==Death==

==Death==