The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans: Volume IV G Greene, William GREENE, William, governor of Rhode Island, was born in Warwick, R.I., Aug. 16, 1731; son of William and Catharine (Greene) Greene. He was admitted a freeman of the colony in May, 1753, and was deputy from Warwick in 1773, 1774, 1776 and 1777. In August, 1776, he became first associate justice in the superior court of the colony. On Dec. 10, 1776, he was appointed to the council of war. In February, 1778, he became chief-justice of the superior court and in May was chosen governor of Rhode Island, serving till 1786. The correspondence of Governor Greene was published in part in Vol. V. of the "Collections of the R.I. Historical Society," in Vols. VII., VIII. and IX. of "Rhode Island Colonial Records," and in "Rhode Island in the Continental Congress," edited by Reuben A. Guild. His wife was Catharine, daughter of Simon and Deborah (Greene) Ray of Block Island. He died in Warwick, R.I., Nov. 29, 1809.