William Paine Sheffield Sr.

William Paine Sheffield (August 30, 1820 – June 2, 1907) was a U.S. representative and senator from Rhode Island.

William Paine Sheffield Sr.
Portrait of Sheffield taken by Mathew Brady
United States Senator from Rhode Island
In office November 19, 1884 – January 20, 1885
Appointed by	Augustus O. Bourn
Preceded by	Henry B. Anthony
Succeeded by	Jonathan Chace
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 1st district
In office March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863
Preceded by	Christopher Robinson
Succeeded by	Thomas Jenckes
Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
In office 1842–1845 1849–1853 1857–1861 1875–1884
Personal details
Born	(1820-08-30)August 30, 1820 New Shoreham, Rhode Island
Died	June 2, 1907(1907-06-02) (aged 86) Newport, Rhode Island
Political party	Republican
Education	Harvard Law School
Profession	Attorney

Biography

Born in New Shoreham (on Block Island), he completed preparatory studies, attended Kingston Academy, and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1843. He was admitted to the bar in 1844 and commenced practice in Newport. In 1841 and 1842 he was a delegate to the State constitutional conventions and was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1842 to 1845, from 1849 to 1853, and from 1857 to 1861. He moved to Tiverton and returned to Newport.

Sheffield was elected as a Constitutional Union candidate to the 37th United States Congress, serving from 1861 to 1863.^[1] Following the end of his term, he resumed the practice of law.

He was appointed one of the commissioners to revise the state laws in 1871 and served as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1875 to 1884. He was appointed as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Henry B. Anthony and served from November 19, 1884, to January 20, 1885.

Sheffield was elected as an honorary member of the Rhode Island Society of the Cincinnati in 1892.

Sheffield died in Newport in 1907 and was interned in Island Cemetery.

Sheffield was the father of William Paine Sheffield Jr., also a U.S. Representative from Rhode Island.