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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''' (October 7, 1727 – 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==

Johnson represented [[Connecticut]] at the [[Constitutional Convention]] of 1787.  He played a major role there, arguing powerfully and eloquently for a strong federal government and for equal representation for all states.  Towards this end, he was a strong supporter of the [[New Jersey Plan]], and later the [[Connecticut Compromise]]. <ref>http://www.history.army.mil/books/RevWar/ss/johnson.htm</ref>

Johnson represented [[Connecticut]] at the [[Constitutional Convention]] of 1787.  He played a major role there, arguing powerfully and eloquently for a strong federal government and for equal representation for all states.  Towards this end, he was a strong supporter of the [[New Jersey Plan]], and later the [[Connecticut Compromise]].<ref>http://www.history.army.mil/books/RevWar/ss/johnson.htm</ref>

Other members of the Connecticut delegation to the Convention were [[Oliver Ellsworth]] and [[Roger Sherman]].

Other members of the Connecticut delegation to the Convention were [[Oliver Ellsworth]] and [[Roger Sherman]].

==Later Political Service==

==Later Political Service==

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 third president of King's College, now known as [[Columbia University]], 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 third president of King's College, now known as [[Columbia University]], 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==

William Samuel Johnson died in Stratford, Connecticut on November 14, 1819.  He was buried in the Episcopal Cemetery. <ref>http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=J000182</ref>

William Samuel Johnson died in Stratford, Connecticut on November 14, 1819.  He was buried in the Episcopal Cemetery.<ref>http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=J000182</ref>

   

   

==References==

==References==

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<references/>

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{{Constitutional Convention}}

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[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]