Paterson, James Venn

James Venn (J.V.) Paterson was born in Glasgow, Scotland June 17, 1867, the son of Robert Paterson, a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, and Marion Gunn. He had two sisters, Catherine (Kate) and Isabel and one brother William Romaine (Willie). He attended Albany Academy, Glasgow, where he received an education in classics and mathematics and then entered the University of Glasgow. At the University he studied mathematics and naval science, graduating in 1888. While at the University and for a time thereafter, he served as an apprentice at the Linthouse shipyard at Govan and at the Meadowside shipyard at Patrick, Scotland.

In 1891, Paterson was appointed draughtsman in the Naval Works of Southampton where he eventually became chief draughtsman. There he began an association with the great naval architect Sir John H. Biles. Upon Biles' recommendation, Paterson was appointed to a more prestigious position as consulting naval architect to the International Navigation Co. of New Jersey, chief operators of two trans-Atlantic lines, the Red Star and the American lines.

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