Egbert Benson

Federalist Representative of New York's 2nd district

Congresses Served

House Terms

June 21, 1746 (87 years old)

Birthday

August 24, 1833

Death

American lawyer, jurist, and politician active during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and the Annapolis Convention.
Participated in the New York constitutional convention that ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1788.
Held the position of the first Attorney General of New York from 1777 to 1788.
Served as Chief Justice of the New York Supreme Court from 1794 to 1801.
Appointed as the Chief Judge of the United States Circuit Court for the Second Circuit in 1801, but his service ended in 1802 due to the court’s abolition.
Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving two non-consecutive terms in the 1st and 2nd Congresses and a brief term in the 13th Congress.
Involved in the anti-slavery movement despite owning slaves himself.
Contributed to the founding of the New-York Historical Society and served as its first president.
Authored several books and articles, including works defending American patriots and critiquing religious practices.
Married later in life and had a notable family legacy, with descendants involved in historical societies.