He served as the 6th director of the United States Mint from 1835 to 1851 and as president of the American Philosophical Society from 1809 to 1854.

[6] He continued his education in Paris, France at the Jardins des plantes, and studied with René Just Haüy,[7] Louis Nicolas Vauquelin, Adrien-Marie Legendre and Siméon Denis Poisson.

[7] He returned to the United States in 1812 and was appointed professor of natural philosophy, chemistry and mathematics in the department of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

[12] In 1807, Patterson and his father were consulted by Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler for guidance on the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey.

In 1826, Patterson was Consulted by the governor of Pennsylvania to determine the best source of water for a state canal.