The New Student's Reference Work/Van Rensselaer, Stephen

Van Rensselaer (văn rĕn′se- lẽr), Stephen, known as "the Patroon," an American statesman, was born at New York, Nov. 1, 1765. He was educated at Princeton and Harvard Colleges, and married a daughter of Gen. Philip Schuyler, a distinguished officer of the Revolutionary War. He early gave his attention to politics, and in 1795 was elected to the New York legislature, afterwards becoming lieutenant-governor and canal commissioner. At the beginning of the War of 1812 he was in command of the state militia, and led the assault on Queenston; but the refusal of a portion of his troops to cross the Niagara River enabled the British to repel the attack, and Van Rensselaer retired from the service in disgust. At his own cost he employed Professors Eaton and Hitchcock to make geological surveys of a large portion of New York and New England; he also employed Professor Eaton to deliver geological lectures throughout the state. In 1824 he established an institution at Troy for the education of teachers, with free pupils from every county in the state. About this time also he entered the lower house of Congress, and served several terms in that body with honor and distinction. He died at Albany, N. Y., Jan. 26, 1839.