Philip S. Van Rensselaer
Philip Schuyler Van Rensselaer | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Albany, New York, U.S. |
| Died | September 25, 1824 (aged 57) Albany, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, banker, politician |
| Years active | 1793–1820 |
| Known for | Mayor of Albany, President of the Bank of Albany, Grand Master of New York Freemasons |
Philip Schuyler Van Rensselaer (April 15, 1767 – September 25, 1824) held the office of Mayor of Albany, New York on two occasions, ranking third in length of service behind Erastus Corning 2nd and Gerald Jennings.
Life and career
Van Rensselaer was born in Albany to parents Stephen Van Rensselaer II and Catharina Livingston and spent his early years at the Van Rensselaer Manor. Following his father's passing, his mother remarried Eilardus Westerlo, thereby connecting him to another distinguished family in Albany. He was the sibling of Stephen Van Rensselaer III, a grandson of Philip Livingston, nephew to Abraham Ten Broeck, and half-brother to Rensselaer Westerlo.
Career
In Albany, Van Rensselaer built a prominent career as a businessman and banker. He served as President of the Bank of Albany, acted as a Trustee for Union College, and played a key role in founding The Albany Academy. His holdings included warehouses, substantial waterfront land along the Hudson River, and mills producing flour and plaster on the Normans Kill in Bethlehem; these mills were lost to fire in 1820.
His public service began as an Alderman in 1793. He was Mayor from 1799 until 1816 and resumed the role from 1819 to 1820. Notably, during his mayoralty, construction commenced on a permanent New York State Capitol building, with Van Rensselaer personally laying its cornerstone. His tenure also overlapped with Robert Fulton's steamboat Clermont completing its inaugural trip to Albany and the formation of Schenectady County from Albany County.
Additionally, Van Rensselaer was deeply involved in Freemasonry, holding the position of Grand Master for New York between 1793 and 1795.
Personal life
In 1787, he wed Anne De Peyster Van Cortlandt (1766–1855), a distant cousin connected to the influential Schuyler family and daughter of Pierre Van Cortlandt, who descended from New York City Mayor Stephanus Van Cortlandt. The couple did not have children.
Van Rensselaer passed away in Albany on September 25, 1824. Initially interred at Van Rensselaer Manor, his remains were later moved to Albany Rural Cemetery.