Frederick Douglass Patterson was born on October 10, 1901 in Washington, D.C. to Mamie Lucille and William Ross Patterson.[citation needed] He was named after the great abolitionist and D.C. resident Frederick Douglass. Patterson was orphaned by the age of 2 when both of his parents died from tuberculosis.[citation needed] He then moved in with his sister Bessie, his primary caregiver, who sacrificed to ensure him a good education. She dedicated nearly half her $20 monthly salary to enroll him in the private elementary school of Samuel Huston College (currently Huston-Tillotson College) where his affinity for education quickly shined through.