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Van Rensselaer (STEPHEN an American military)

STEPHEN, an American military officer; born in New York, Nov. 1, 1764; was graduated at Harvard College in 1782; elected to the New York Assembly as a Federalist in 1789; was a State Senator in 1791-1796; 1891-1893). Among his other important works are: "Literary and Dramatic Year" (11 vols. 1859-1869); "Universal Dictionary of Literatures" (1876); "Historical Elements of French Literature" (2 vols. 1883-1885). He was Inand received the Cross of the Legion of Honor in 1878. 1877, and Legion of Honor in 1878. Died in 1906. lieutenant-governor in 1795; and a mem- "Literary and Dramatic lieutenant-governor in 1795; and a mem- 1891-1893). Among his other important ber of the State Assembly in 1798 and works are: 1808-1810. He became major of militia in 1786, was promoted colonel in 1788, and major-general in 1801; and in 1812 was assigned to the command of the Northern frontier, in which capacity he commanded at the battle of Queenstown Heights, Oct. 13-14, 1812. On Oct. 24, he resigned his commission because of public dissatisfaction with his conduct in that engagement. He was chosen chairman of the Erie Canal Commission; became a regent of the University of New York; made a geological survey along the line of the Albany and Buffalo canal in 1821-1823; founded the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N. Y.; and was a member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1821, and of Congress in 1823-1829. He died in Albany, N. Y., Jan. 26, 1839.