William Livingston
William Livingston was a prominent figure in colonial America, born in the 1720s into a distinguished New York family. His early life was marked by a unique experience living among the Mohawk Indians, where he learned their language and customs. Demonstrating exceptional academic ability, he entered Yale College at just fourteen and graduated as valedictorian in 1741. Following his education, Livingston pursued a career in law and journalism, contributing articles to various newspapers, including the New-York Weekly Post-Box and the Independent Reflector. He was an advocate for personal freedom, religious liberty, and the separation of church and state, with many of his ideas influencing the Constitution.
Livingston's political career included roles as a member of the New York Assembly and a representative at the First Continental Congress, where he championed the colonies' quest for independence. In 1776, he was appointed commander of the New Jersey Militia and later elected governor of New Jersey, a position he held until his death. His literary contributions, alongside his political activism, have left a lasting impact on American history, highlighting his commitment to the principles of freedom and governance.
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William Livingston
Governor
- Born: November 30, 1723
- Birthplace: Albany, New York
- Died: July 25, 1790
- Place of death: Elizabethtown, New Jersey
Biography
William Livingston was born into a prominent family in New York in the 1720’s. He had a colorful childhood, which included joining an English missionary who was working with the Mohawk Indians. Livingston lived among the Mohawks, learning their language and customs. At his family home, Livingston Manor, Livingston was provided every educational opportunity, and began attending Yale College at the remarkable age of fourteen. He graduated as the class valedictorian in 1741. Livingston then began studying with a lawyer, which he found burdensome, and he wrote an article about his experience, which was published in the New-York Weekly Post-Box in 1745. This was the first of many articles Livingstone produced for newspapers. That same year, he married Susanna French, with whom he had thirteen children.
Livinston’s first book, which was composed as a long poem, was titled Philosophic Solitude: Or, the Choice of a Rural Life and was published in 1747. Livingston then turned his attention to politics and law. In 1752, Livingstone took part in publishing a digest of the laws of New York. He became deeply involved in developing the American legal system and by 1752 was recognized as a leader for American independence. That year, Livingston helped to found the weekly newspaper Independent Reflector. In 1757, Livingston released a pamphlet criticizing Britain’s control over America titled A Review of the Military Operations in North-America. The following year, Livingston was elected to the New York Assembly.
Livingston joined the First Continental Congress as a representative of New Jersey, where he advocated personal freedom as part of the colonies’ agenda. Livingston published many articles advocating the freedom of religion and the separation of church and state. These articles appeared not just in the Independent Reflector, but also in such publications as the New-York Gazette. His ideas were later made part of the Constitution, which Livingston helped to write and which he also signed. In 1768, Livingston published A Letter to the Right Reverend Father in God, John, Lord Bishop of Landaff; Occasioned by Some Passages in His Lordship’s Sermon, On the 20th of February, 1767, in Which the American Colonies Are Loaded With Great and Undeserved Reproach. . . , again criticizing Britian’s stance on American issues.
In 1776, Livingston was appointed commander of the New Jersey Militia and was elected governor of New Jersey, a post he would hold for the rest of his life. His poetry, essays, and political contributions are considered significant in colonial American history.