William Gaston | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Gaston by Asher Brown Durand, 1834 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 4th district | |
| In office March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1817 | |
| Preceded by | William Blackledge |
| Succeeded by | Jesse Slocumb |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 19, 1778 New Bern, North Carolina, US |
| Died | January 23, 1844 (aged 65) Raleigh, North Carolina, US |
| Political party | Federalist, Whig |
| Spouses | Susan Hay
(m. 1803; died 1804)Hannah McClure
(m. 1805; died 1813)Eliza Ann Worthington
(m. 1816; died 1819) |
| Children | 5 |
| Residence(s) | Coor-Gaston House Elmwood |
| Education | Georgetown University |
| Alma mater | Princeton University |
William J. Gaston (September 19, 1778 – January 23, 1844) was a jurist and United States Representative from North Carolina. He was the author of the official state song of North Carolina, "The Old North State". Gaston County, North Carolina, created just after his death, was named for him, as later were the city of Gastonia, North Carolina, artificial Lake Gaston, and the Gaston Hall auditorium at his alma mater, Georgetown University.