JOHN A. PATERSON (1846-1930) was born in Stornoway, Scotland, but emigrated to Canada as a young boy when his father accepted a post as pioneer Presbyterian missionary at Bobcaygeon, Ontario. Graduating from Upper Canada College with a double scholarship in classics and mathematics, he proceeded to get his HA from the University of Toronto. After a period of teaching mathematics at UCC, he turned to law in 1873, a profession which engaged him for the rest of his life. He was solicitor for the U of T, North American Life and the Presbyterian Church in Canada. One of his most memorable cases was a rigorous and successful defence of the Lord's Day Act which severely limited activities on the Sabbath. He was also an influential promoter of the establishment of the United Church in Canada.

He joined the Society in 1890 and contributed several papers and addresses, some of a biographical nature and some dealing with astronomical allusions found in poetry. During his Presidency he travelled to Ayr and Elora to deliver popular lectures.

—Peter Broughton (from Looking Up)

John A. Paterson, K.C., M.A., F.R.A.S.C.