Peter Gansevoort was an American politician from New York.
Occupation
lawyer, politician, judge
Position held
member of the State Senate of New York, member of the New York State Assembly
Citizenship
United States
Born
December 22, 1788
Died
January 4, 1876
Overview
Peter Gansevoort (December 22, 1788 – January 4, 1876) was an American politician from New York.
Early life
Peter Gansevoort was the son of Gen. Peter Gansevoort (1749–1812) and Catherine (née Van Schaick) Gansevoort. Leonard Gansevoort (1751–1810) was his uncle, and author Herman Melville (1819–1891) and Commodore Guert Gansevoort (1812–1868) were his nephews.
He attended Williams College from 1804 to 1805, graduated B.A. from the College of New Jersey in 1808. He studied law with Harmanus Bleecker, attended Litchfield Law School from 1808 to 1809, graduated M.A. from the College of New Jersey in 1811, was admitted to the bar in 1811, and practiced in Albany.
Career
From 1817 to 1819, he was the private secretary of Gov. DeWitt Clinton. From 1819 to 1821, he served as the Judge Advocate General of the New York State Militia.
