Livingston, William (1723-1790), was a New Jersey signer of the Constitution of the United States. He was the senior New Jersey delegate at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and became known for his ability to help delegates work out compromises. Livingston served as chairman of the committee that created regulations for the slave trade and set up guidelines for direct taxation. He also led a committee that worked on such matters as the states’ militia and federal payment of states’ debts. Livingston later helped win swift and unanimous ratification (approval) of the Constitution by New Jersey.
Livingston was born in Albany, New York. He graduated from Yale College in 1741 and practiced law in New York City. In the 1760’s, Livingston became a prominent opponent of British policy. He moved to New Jersey in 1772 and later represented the colony in the First and Second Continental Congresses. Livingston took command of the New Jersey militia in June 1776. Two months later, he was chosen the first governor of the state of New Jersey. He retained this position for the rest of his life. Livingston died on July 25, 1790.
