Patterson continued to expand the resources and the curriculum of the college, and in 1908, he oversaw its transition to university status.

[2][3] He was the eldest of five sons born to Andrew and Janet (Kennedy) Patterson, who were both from Presbyterian families associated with the Covenanter movement.

[6] In 1842, when he was nine years old, Patterson's family immigrated to the United States, settling in Bartholomew County, Indiana, near the city of Madison.

[2] Governor Preston Leslie appointed him a delegate to the International Congress of Geographical Sciences which convened in Paris, France, later that year.

Already familiar with Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, he developed a good knowledge of Sanskrit, Gothic, Anglo-Saxon, German, and French.

[9] Between 1871 and 1874, he was a frequent contributor of editorial content to local publications and newspapers, including a series of articles on tariffs and foreign policy which appeared in the Louisville Courier-Journal.

[7] During his later academic career, Patterson devoted more time to the study of history, metaphysics, and political science.

[9] In 1878, denominational differences and financial difficulties led to the separation of the Agricultural and Mechanical College from Kentucky University.

[3] Opponents of the tax, led by the state's private denominational schools, attempted to get it repealed during the 1882 legislative session, but Patterson appeared before the legislature to defend it, and the General Assembly retained it.

[3][7] The tax was then challenged as unconstitutional by its opponents, but Patterson again successfully defended it before the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

[7] Governor Simon Bolivar Buckner appointed Patterson a delegate to the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 1890.

[7] He was granted a year's leave from his duties as president, and set sail for Europe with his wife and son in June.

[7] The family visited England, Scotland, Belgium, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland before returning home in August 1891.

[2] Even after the approval of the property tax, the college's funds remained inadequate to allow it to operate and expand.

[2] As president, Patterson gained a reputation as unduly frugal, particularly with regard to faculty salaries and facilities expansion.

[5] When all other fundraising methods had been exhausted, Patterson resorted to securing a personal loan to cover the college's operating expenses.

[5] As part of the terms of his retirement, he was allowed to continue attending board and faculty meetings, represent the university on the state and national level, and reside in the campus house built for the president.