Johnson, William Samuel, 1727-1819

William Samuel Johnson (October 7, 1727 – November 14, 1819) was an American Founding Father and statesman. During the Revolutionary War, he served as a militia lieutenant before being relieved following his rejection of his election to the First Continental Congress. He was notable for signing the United States Constitution, for representing Connecticut in the United States Senate, and for serving as the third president of King's College, now known as Columbia University.

Born in Stratford, Colony of Connecticut, on October 7, 1727 to Samuel Johnson, Johnson received his primary education at home. He then graduated from Yale College in 1744 and went on to receive a master's degree from his alma mater in 1747 as well as an honorary degree from Harvard the same year. Although his father urged him to enter the clergy, Johnson decided instead to pursue a legal career. Self-educated in the law, he quickly developed an important clientele and established business connections extending beyond the boundaries of his native colony. He also held a commission in the Connecticut colonial militia for over 20 years, rising to the rank of colonel, and he served in the lower house (1761 and 1765) and upper house (1766 and 1771–1775) of the Connecticut Legislature. He was a member of the colony's Supreme Court (1772–1774). Johnson lived in London from 1767 to 1771, serving as Connecticut's agent in its attempt to settle the colony's title to Indian lands.

Once independence was achieved, Johnson felt free to participate in the government of the new nation, serving in the Congress of the Confederation from 1785 to 1787. Between 1787 and 1800, he served as president of King's College, now known as Columbia University. He was elected as one of the first two United States Senators from Connecticut, serving from March 4, 1789, to March 4, 1791, when he resigned. Johnson died in Stratford and was buried in the Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery there.