NNP

Robert Maskell Patterson

Biography

Born in Philadelphia; son of Robert Patterson who was Director of the Mint 1806 to 1824. Graduate of the University of Pennsylvania in 1804. M.D. from the same in 1808. Married Helen Hamilton Leiper in 1814. They had six children. Taught at the University of Virginia 1828 to 1835. In 1838 he authorized the establishment of the mint cabinet of coins and medals. He was one of the founders of the Franklin Institute. He served as president of the Musical Fund Society 1838 to 1853 and as president of the American Philosophical Society 1849 to 1853.

Appointed Director of the Mint by President Andrew Jackson and served July 1, 1835, to July 1851. He succeeded his brother-in-law Samuel Moore. The Director of the Mint position was held in the family more than 45 years, 1806 to 1851. Patterson served on the Assay Commission in 1842. He died in Philadelphia.

Patterson appears on a mint medal (Julian MT-2) as one of the series for Directors of the Mint. The obverse die was by Charles Cushing Wright.

bio: ApCAB; BDAS; Drake; Evans; Failor; NCAB 1, 26; TCBDA