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