Career
He was appointed as Solicitor-General in 1764 and became Chief Justice of Common Pleas in 1770. He held office until his death although he had been contemplating retirement due to ill health. He was a native of Ennis, County Clare.
And was the third son of Montrose Paterson.
He went to school in Limerick and graduated from the University of Dublin. In character he seems to have been a typical eighteenth-century rake: he was famed for his hospitality, shortened his life by heavy drinking and fought numerous duels.
John Scott, 1st Earl of Clonmell called him one of those old men who die because they insist on living like young mentor On the other hand, he was a considerable scholar, a fine lawyer and a diligent and zealous law officer