List of mayors of Albany, New York
Encyclopedia
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
were appointed by the royal governor of New York, per the provisions of the original City Charter, issued by Governor Thomas Dongan.
From 1779 until 1839, mayors were chosen by the New York State's Council of Appointment
Council of Appointment
The Council of Appointment was a body of the Government of New York that existed from 1777 to 1822.-History:...
, typically for a one year term that began in September. From 1840 on, Albany's Mayors were directly elected by the City's residents. Beginning in 1886, Mayoral terms began on January 1 of the year after the Mayor was elected.
A total of 74 men have served as Mayor since the City's inception; eighteen of them served multiple terms that were not consecutive. Erastus Corning 2nd
Erastus Corning 2nd
Erastus Corning 2nd was an American politician. He was Mayor of Albany, New York for more than 40 years, from 1942 to 1983, when Albany County was controlled by one of the last two classic urban political machines in the United States. Albany's longest serving mayor, the Democrat died in office in...
served for over 40 years, longer than any other mayor of any other major United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
city. Gerald D. Jennings
Gerald Jennings
Gerald David "Jerry" Jennings is the mayor of Albany, New York, United States. A Democrat, Jennings won a shocking upset in the 1993 mayoral primary over Harold Joyce, who had the Democratic Party’s formal endorsement and had only recently been its chairman. In 1993, he won the general election,...
(Democrat) is the current Mayor; he was first elected in 1993, began service on January 1, 1994, and is currently in his fourth term of office.
Since Thomas M. Whalen III's death in 2002, Jennings has been the only living Mayor of Albany.
Seventeenth Century
| Mayor | Start | End | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pieter Schuyler Pieter Schuyler Pieter Schuyler was the first mayor of Albany, New York and the head of the Albany Commissioners for Indian Affairs... |
1686 | 1694 | Colonel of the militia in King William's War King William's War The first of the French and Indian Wars, King William's War was the name used in the English colonies in America to refer to the North American theater of the Nine Years' War... . Much trusted by the Iroquois Iroquois The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America... , he took their five Sachems to London to visit the court of Queen Anne, 1709-1710 (Note: Johannes Wendell was appointed in opposition in 1690 by political upstart Jacob Leisler Jacob Leisler Jacob Leisler was a German-born American colonist. He helped create the Huguenot settlement of New Rochelle in 1688 and later served as the acting Lieutenant Governor of New York... in an attempt to supplant the existing provincial governance structure; no record exists that Wendell actually served, and Leisler was arrested and executed in 1691). |
| Johannes Abeel | 1694 | 1695 | Merchant and trader. Also served as alderman, judge, sheriff and recorder. |
| Evert Bancker Evert Bancker (mayor) This article is about the Mayor of Albany. For the Speaker of the NY Assembly see Evert Bancker Evert Bancker was an American trader and politician who was Mayor of Albany from 1695 to 1696 and from 1707 to 1709.-Life:He was the only surviving son of Gerrit Bancker, a pioneer fur trader, and... |
1695 | 1696 | Farmed in Guilderland Guilderland, New York Guilderland is a town in Albany County, New York, United States. In the 2010 census, the town had a population of 35,303. The town is named for the Gelderland province in the Netherlands.... ; one of the few City Fathers who accepted an appointment to the Council during the regime of Jacob Leisler Jacob Leisler Jacob Leisler was a German-born American colonist. He helped create the Huguenot settlement of New Rochelle in 1688 and later served as the acting Lieutenant Governor of New York... ; also served as Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Indian Affairs and Master in Chancery; married to sister of Mayor Johannes Abeel. |
| Dirck Wesselse Ten Broeck | 1696 | 1698 | Served for 30 years as Indian Commissioner. Also Captain in the militia. Alderman of the first City Board in 1686. His great-grandson-in-law was Philip Livingston Philip Livingston Philip Livingston was an American merchant and statesman from New York City. He was a delegate for New York to the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1778, and signed the Declaration of Independence.-Family history:... , signer of the Declaration of Independence Declaration of independence A declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or failed nation, or are breakaway territories from within the larger state... . Philip Livingston was first cousin once removed of mayor Robert Livingston the Younger Robert Livingston the Younger Robert Livingston the Younger was the mayor of Albany, New York from 1710 to 1719. He was the son of James Livingston and nephew of Robert Livingston the Elder. Born in Scotland, he emigrated to America from Rotterdam in 1687 and in 1697 married Margareta Schuyler, the daughter of Pieter... . Philip Livingston's wife, Christina Ten Broeck also was a cousin of Maria Ten Broeck, who married Continental Army General Gozen "Goose" Van Schaick, son of Albany Mayor Sybrant Gozen Van Schaick. Goose Van Schaick's sister was married to Continental Army General Peter Gansevoort Peter Gansevoort Peter Gansevoort was a Colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is best known for leading the resistance to Barry St. Leger's Siege of Fort Stanwix in 1777. Gansevoort was also the maternal grandfather of Moby-Dick author Herman Melville.-Early life:He was born... -a great-nephew of Albany Mayor Pieter Van Brugh Pieter Van Brugh Pieter Van Brugh was the Mayor of Albany, New York from 1699 to 1700 and from 1721 to 1723.Pieter Van Brugh was a member of the Dutch aristocracy of Albany. His sister, Catharina, was the daughter-in-law of Rensselaerswyck patroon, Jeremias van Rensselaer, and Pieter was the great-granduncle of... . |
| Hendrick Hansen | 1698 | 1699 | Provincial Assemblyman, Alderman, Indian Commissioner, trader, merchant. |
| Pieter Van Brugh Pieter Van Brugh Pieter Van Brugh was the Mayor of Albany, New York from 1699 to 1700 and from 1721 to 1723.Pieter Van Brugh was a member of the Dutch aristocracy of Albany. His sister, Catharina, was the daughter-in-law of Rensselaerswyck patroon, Jeremias van Rensselaer, and Pieter was the great-granduncle of... |
1699 | 1700 | Surname sometimes spelled Verbrugge. Captain of the militia. Great-granduncle of Continental General Peter Gansevoort Peter Gansevoort Peter Gansevoort was a Colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is best known for leading the resistance to Barry St. Leger's Siege of Fort Stanwix in 1777. Gansevoort was also the maternal grandfather of Moby-Dick author Herman Melville.-Early life:He was born... ; constable, high constable, assessor, collector and contractor; one of the last people to be buried beneath the Old Albany Dutch church. His sister Catherina was the wife of Hendrick Van Rennsselaer, a brother-in-law of Albany Mayor Pieter Schuyler Pieter Schuyler Pieter Schuyler was the first mayor of Albany, New York and the head of the Albany Commissioners for Indian Affairs... . |
Eighteenth Century
| Mayor | Start | End | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan Jansen Bleecker | 1700 | 1701 | Born in Holland; emigrated to Albany in 1658. Negotiated support from the Iroquois Iroquois The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America... tribes in the Dutch struggles against the French in Canada. Also served as City Chamberlain, Indian Commissioner, Recorder, Justice of the Peace and as a member of the Provincial Assembly. |
| Johannes Bleecker, Jr. | 1701 | 1702 | Interpreter to the Indians. Carried captive to Canada in 1686, returned as year later. Also served as Recorder and member of the General Assembly. Son of Mayor Jan Jansen Bleecker and brother of Mayor Rutger Bleecker. City wall strengthened during his term in expectation of an attack from the French. |
| Albert Janse Ryckman Albert Janse Ryckman Albert Janse Ryckman was an 18th Century American businessman and politician.-Personal life:Ryckman was born in 1642 to Beverwyck pioneers Jan and Tryntie Janse. Married to Cornelia Quackenbush in the mid 1660's, the couple eventually had twelve children... |
1702 | 1703 | One of the most prominent Albany brewmasters of the late seventeenth century. Captain of the militia. Deacon in the Dutch Reformed Church. |
| Johannes Schuyler | 1703 | 1706 | Militia officer, trader, river transport operator. Brother of Pieter Schuyler Pieter Schuyler Pieter Schuyler was the first mayor of Albany, New York and the head of the Albany Commissioners for Indian Affairs... and grandfather of Continental General Philip Schuyler Philip Schuyler Philip John Schuyler was a general in the American Revolution and a United States Senator from New York. He is usually known as Philip Schuyler, while his son is usually known as Philip J. Schuyler.-Early life:... . Enacted a law mandating that each house had to build an eight-foot sidewalk. Also served as Indian Commissioner, member of Colonial Assembly and Alderman. |
| David Davidse Schuyler | 1706 | 1707 | Brother of Mayor Myndert Schuyler; “fyre-masters” were ordered to inspect chimneys during his term. Also served as Alderman, Justice, County Sheriff, Indian Commissioner and delegate to the Council of the Onondagas. |
| Evert Bancker | 1707 | 1709 | See first term entry above |
| Johannes Abeel | 1709 | 1710 | See first term entry above |
| Robert Livingston the Younger Robert Livingston the Younger Robert Livingston the Younger was the mayor of Albany, New York from 1710 to 1719. He was the son of James Livingston and nephew of Robert Livingston the Elder. Born in Scotland, he emigrated to America from Rotterdam in 1687 and in 1697 married Margareta Schuyler, the daughter of Pieter... |
1710 | 1719 | Nephew of Mayor Robert Livingston. Married to daughter of Mayor Pieter Schuyler Pieter Schuyler Pieter Schuyler was the first mayor of Albany, New York and the head of the Albany Commissioners for Indian Affairs... . Born in Scotland, emigrated in 1687. Accused by the Boston Board of Trade of being a partner with pirate Captain Kidd since Kidd was using his ship, he was later exonerated. Member of the Colonial Assembly, Indian Commissioner, Secretary of the City. |
| Myndert Schuyler | 1719 | 1720 | Merchant. Ordered construction of small houses outside the city walls to house Indians who came to trade. Also served as member of the Assembly, Church Master, Indian Commissioner, Lieutenant Colonel of the Militia, Alderman. |
| Pieter Van Brugh | 1720 | 1723 | See first term entry above |
| Myndert Schuyler | 1723 | 1725 | See first term entry above |
| Johannes Cuyler | 1725 | 1726 | Elder in the Dutch Church, Indian Commissioner, trader. Admitted freeman of New York City. Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Married to daughter of Mayor Dirck Wesselse Ten Broeck. |
| Rutger Bleecker | 1726 | 1729 | Merchant. Son of Mayor Jan Jansen Bleecker, brother of Mayor Johannes Bleecker; married to widow of Mayor Johannes Abeel. Enacted laws restricting the sale of intoxicants to Indians. Also served as Recorder. |
| Johannes DePeyster | 1729 | 1731 | Son of Johannes de Peyster Johannes de Peyster Johannes de Peyster was Mayor of New York City in 1698-99., p. 395-96 -Life:Johannes was born in New York City in 1666 to Johannes and Cornelia Lubberts de Peyster.... , a Mayor of New York City Mayor of New York City The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the... and a Huguenot Huguenot The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the 17th century, people who formerly would have been called Huguenots have instead simply been called French Protestants, a title suggested by their German co-religionists, the... . Purchased Albany’s first fire-fighting equipment, ladders and fire-hooks. Married daughter of Mayor Myndert Schuyler. Also served as Recorder, Indian Commissioner, member of Provincial Assembly, Captain of the Cavalry, Inspector of Ordinance, Surrogate of Albany County and Paymaster of the New York Forces. His daughter married Albany Mayor Volckert Douw. |
| Johannes "Hans" Hansen | 1731 | 1732 | Trader, son of Mayor Hendrick Hansen, married daughter of Mayor Johannes Cuyler. Spent much of his youth west of Albany in Indian lands. |
| Johannes DePeyster | 1732 | 1732 | See first term entry above |
| Edward Holland | 1733 | 1740 | First English Mayor of Albany, his father commanded the Albany garrison. Signed a City Ordinance “To prevent Negroes or Indian slaves to appear in the streets after eight at night without a lanthorn and lighted candle in it.” |
| Johannes Schuyler, Jr. | 1740 | 1741 | Son of Mayor Johannes Schuyler, father of General Philip Schuyler Philip Schuyler Philip John Schuyler was a general in the American Revolution and a United States Senator from New York. He is usually known as Philip Schuyler, while his son is usually known as Philip J. Schuyler.-Early life:... . Businessman with lucrative government contracts and large dowry from his New York City Dutch wife's family; appointed to a second term as Mayor but declined to take required oath of allegiance and did not serve. Also served as Indian Commissioner and Alderman. |
| Johannes DePeyster | 1741 | 1742 | See first term entry above |
| Cornelis Cuyler | 1742 | 1746 | Fur trader and merchant, represented Albany's interests in Mohawk Country and Canada; alderman, active member of Indian Affairs Commission. Son of Mayor Johannes Cuyler, grandson (via mother) of Mayor Dirck Wesselse Ten Broeck, father of Mayor Abraham Cuyler. |
| Dirck Ten Broeck | 1746 | 1748 | Merchant, grandson of Mayor Dirck Wesselse Ten Broeck. Also served as City Inspector of Skins, Alderman, Recorder and Commissioner of Indian Affairs. |
| Jacob Coenraedt Ten Eyck | 1748 | 1750 | Indian Commissioner, silversmith, judge, and member of Albany’s Committee of Safety during the Revolutionary War American Revolutionary War The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the... |
| Robert Sanders | 1750 | 1754 | English native who married into the influential Dutch Schuyler family at a time when it was without a strong male leader; his administration hosted the Albany Congress Albany Congress The Albany Congress, also known as the Albany Conference and "The Conference of Albany" or "The Conference in Albany", was a meeting of representatives from seven of the thirteen British North American colonies in 1754... . |
| Johannes (Hans) Hansen | 1754 | 1756 | See first term entry above; died in office during this term |
| Sybrant Gozen Van Schaick | 1756 | 1761 | Trader and landholder, his administration witnessed some of the most active local phases of the French and Indian War French and Indian War The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war... . |
| Volckert Petrus Douw | 1761 | 1770 | Merchant and one of the founders of Albany Savings Bank, second oldest bank in New York. Married daughter of Mayor Johannes DePeyster. Also served as Alderman, Recorder, Captain of the Militia, Judge, member of the Colonial Assembly, Indian Commissioner, Committee of Safety, Commissary of the Northern Army, New York State Senator. |
| Abraham Cornelis Cuyler | 1770 | 1778 | Third generation member of his family to serve as mayor, grandson (via mother) of Mayor Johannes Schuyler. Last mayor of colonial Albany, cooperated with English interests as local tensions mounted; arrested by Revolutionaries and exiled to Connecticut Connecticut Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately... ; condemned to death in 1779 under Act of Attainder; after peace with Britain was secured, he attempted to return to Albany but was unable to reclaim his property and died in Canada in 1810. |
| John Barclay | 1778 | 1779 | Member of Albany Committee of Correspondence Committee of correspondence The Committees of Correspondence were shadow governments organized by the Patriot leaders of the Thirteen Colonies on the eve of American Revolution. They coordinated responses to Britain and shared their plans; by 1773 they had emerged as shadow governments, superseding the colonial legislature... ; first Mayor under new State government; died in office. |
| Abraham Ten Broeck Abraham Ten Broeck Abraham Ten Broeck was a New York politician, businessman, and militia Brigadier General of Dutch descent. He was twice Mayor of Albany, New York and built one of the largest mansions in the area that still stands more than 200 years later.-Early life:Ten Broeck was the son of Dirck Ten Broeck... |
1779 | 1783 | Lawyer, banker. Son of Mayor Dirck Ten Broeck. During his term, Albany was designated the capital of New York and whipping posts were abolished in the city; a prominent citizen and co-administrator of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck for Patroon Stephen Van Rensselaer Stephen Van Rensselaer III Stephen Van Rensselaer III was Lieutenant Governor of New York as well as a statesman, soldier, and land-owner, the heir to one of the largest estates in the New York region at the time, which made him the tenth richest American of all time, based on the ratio of his fortune to contemporary GDP... , also served as member of the Colonial Assembly, delegate to the Continental Congress, Brigadier-General of the Army, President of the Committee of Safety, New York State Senator, Judge, President of the Bank of Albany. |
| Johannes Jacobse Beeckman | 1783 | 1786 | Firemaster, alderman, member of New York State Assembly; active in Albany Committee of Correspondence Committee of correspondence The Committees of Correspondence were shadow governments organized by the Patriot leaders of the Thirteen Colonies on the eve of American Revolution. They coordinated responses to Britain and shared their plans; by 1773 they had emerged as shadow governments, superseding the colonial legislature... |
| John Lansing, Jr. John Lansing, Jr. John Ten Eyck Lansing, Jr. , was an American lawyer and politician. He was the uncle of Gerrit Y. Lansing.-Career:... |
1786 | 1790 | Also delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention, member of the Continental Congress, Speaker of the Assembly and Chief Justice of the New York Supreme Court, among other duties. During his term, the New York Convention ratified the United States Constitution. He disappeared on December 12, 1829 in New York City; he was last seen by the doorman at City Hotel. |
| Abraham Yates, Jr. Abraham Yates Abraham Yates was an American lawyer and civil servant from Albany, New York.-Biography:He was baptised August 23, 1724 in Albany, New York, the son of Christoffel Yates and Catelyntje Winne.... |
1790 | 1796 | Financier. Delegate to the Continental Congress, Albany’s first Postmaster and founding trustee of Union College Union College Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as... . Oil street lamps installed during his term. New York State Senator for first 13 sessions. Delegate to the Continental Congress. |
| Abraham Ten Broeck | 1796 | 1798 | See first term entry above |
| Philip Schuyler Van Rensselaer | 1799 | 1816 | Grandson of Philip Livingston Philip Livingston Philip Livingston was an American merchant and statesman from New York City. He was a delegate for New York to the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1778, and signed the Declaration of Independence.-Family history:... . Second longest total time of service by an Albany Mayor, after Erastus Corning II; ordered the State Capitol built; Robert Fulton Robert Fulton Robert Fulton was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat... ’s steamboat “Clermont” arrived in Albany on its first voyage during his term, and Schenectady County was created from Albany. President of the Bank of Albany. |
Nineteenth Century
| Mayor | Start | End | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elisha Jenkins Elisha Jenkins Elisha Jenkins was an American politician who served as New York Secretary of State and Mayor of Albany.-Life:... |
1816 | 1819 | Key figure in an early Albany scandal in 1807, when he was assaulted by General Solomon Van Rensselaer after passing a resolution questioning Van Rensselaer's honesty. A riot ensued, and Jenkins' nephew, Francis Bloodgood, struck and seriously wounded Van Rensselaer with a cane. Suits and countersuits were filed. Jenkins' appointment as Mayor has been viewed as a politically motivated move and further slight against the Van Rensselaer family; Jenkins resigned in 1819 and his term was completed by Philip Schuyler Van Rensselaer. Bloodgood later became Mayor of Albany as well. Jenkins also served as New York State Senator, State Comptroller, Secretary of State and Quartermaster to the General Northern Department during the War of 1812. |
| Philip Schuyler Van Rensselaer | 1819 | 1820 | See first term entry above |
| Charles E. Dudley Charles E. Dudley Charles Edward Dudley was an American politician.-Life:Dudley was born in England during the American Revolution, the son of Loyalist parents. His father, Charles Dudley, an Englishman, was Collector of the King's Customs at Newport, Rhode Island, where he married Catherine Cooke, of a Rhode... |
1821 | 1824 | Merchant. Key early petitioner for the Erie Canal Erie Canal The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of... , helped found Cohoes Company to tap the power of the Mohawk River Mohawk River The Mohawk River is a river in the U.S. state of New York. It is the largest tributary of the Hudson River. The Mohawk flows into the Hudson in the Capital District, a few miles north of the city of Albany. The river is named for the Mohawk Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy... , Albany Basin of Erie Canal completed during his term and canal began operation. His widow donated funds to found Dudley Observatory Dudley Observatory Dudley Observatory is an astronomical observatory located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Along with Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany Law School, Albany Medical College, the Graduate College of Union University, and Union College, it is one of the constituent entities of Union... . |
| Ambrose Spencer Ambrose Spencer Ambrose Spencer was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:He attended Yale College from 1779 to 1782, and graduated from Harvard University in 1783... |
1824 | 1826 | His wife was the sister of Governor DeWitt Clinton DeWitt Clinton DeWitt Clinton was an early American politician and naturalist who served as United States Senator and the sixth Governor of New York. In this last capacity he was largely responsible for the construction of the Erie Canal... ; also Attorney General of New York and Chief Justice of the New York Supreme Court, and member of the United States House of Representatives. |
| James Stevenson | 1826 | 1828 | Lawyer, one of the first governors of Albany City Hospital. During his term, a large celebration was held in Albany on the effective date of the emancipation of slaves in New York; resigned in 1828. |
| Charles E. Dudley Charles E. Dudley Charles Edward Dudley was an American politician.-Life:Dudley was born in England during the American Revolution, the son of Loyalist parents. His father, Charles Dudley, an Englishman, was Collector of the King's Customs at Newport, Rhode Island, where he married Catherine Cooke, of a Rhode... |
1828 | 1829 | See first term entry above; resigned in 1829 |
| John Townsend John Townsend (Mayor) John Townsend was a prominent industrialist and politician in the Albany, New York area. He was unanimously elected Mayor of Albany three times and served as the 37th Mayor of the city.-Birth and Family:... |
1829 | 1830 | Laid the cornerstone for Albany’s old City Hall in 1829; major cholera Cholera Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces... outbreak during his term. Advised DeWitt Clinton in Erie Canal matters. Also President of National Commercial Bank, President of the Albany Exchange Company, President of the Water Commission, Vice President of Albany Savings Bank. |
| Francis Bloodgood | 1831 | 1831 | Clerk of the New York State Supreme Court, President of New York State Bank. See entry under Elisha Jenkins above for his role in a politically motivated brawl in 1807. |
| John Townsend | 1832 | 1832 | See first term entry above |
| Francis Bloodgood | 1833 | 1833 | See first term entry above |
| Erastus Corning Erastus Corning Erastus Corning I , American businessman and politician, was born in Norwich, Connecticut. Corning moved to Troy, New York at the age of 13 to clerk in the hardware store of an uncle; six years later he moved to Albany, New York, where he joined the mercantile business under James Spencer... |
1834 | 1837 | Founder of the New York Central Railroad New York Central Railroad The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States... and member of the United States House of Representatives; resigned in 1837. |
| Teunis Van Vechten | 1837 | 1839 | President of Albany Insurance Company and attorney to Patroon Stephen Van Rensselaer Stephen Van Rensselaer III Stephen Van Rensselaer III was Lieutenant Governor of New York as well as a statesman, soldier, and land-owner, the heir to one of the largest estates in the New York region at the time, which made him the tenth richest American of all time, based on the ratio of his fortune to contemporary GDP... ; first locomotive arrived from Boston during his term, though passengers disembarked in Greenbush (Rensselaer) and crossed the river by ferry; resigned in 1839. |
| Jared Lewis Rathbone | 1839 | 1841 | Last Mayor chosen by the Common Council, appointed to complete Mayor Van Vechten's term. President of Albany Medical College Albany Medical College Albany Medical College is a medical school located in Albany, New York, United States. It was founded in 1839 by Amos Dean, Dr. Thomas Hun and others, and is one of the oldest medical schools in the nation... . Also served as Alderman. |
| Teunis Van Vechten | 1841 | 1842 | See first term entry above |
| Barent Philip Staats | 1842 | 1843 | Physician, alderman, strong temperance sensibilities. |
| Friend Humphrey | 1843 | 1845 | Born in Connecticut, relocated to Albany in 1811. Albany Rural Cemetery was consecrated and Albany’s first telegraph office opened during his term. Advocate for public morality, he closed public markets on Sundays. New York State Senator. |
| John Keyes Paige | 1845 | 1846 | New York State Supreme Court Clerk from 1825 until his election as Mayor. President of the Canal Bank. |
| William Parmelee | 1846 | 1848 | Lawyer. Also served as City Attorney, Judge and Recorder. |
| John Taylor | 1848 | 1849 | Brewer. Known for his fine private library. |
| Friend Humphrey | 1849 | 1850 | See first term entry above |
| Franklin Townsend Franklin Townsend Franklin Townsend was descended from Henry Townsend one of the founders of Oyster Bay, New York. He was a 19th century industrialist, active in his family's iron business which was a branch of the Stirling Iron Works, the maker of the Hudson River Chain that prevented the British Royal Navy from... |
1850 | 1851 | Adjutant General of the State of New York, Assemblyman, President of New York State National Bank, Vice-President of Albany Savings Bank; nephew of Mayor John Townsend |
| Eli Perry Eli Perry Eli Perry was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born in Cambridge, Washington County, New York, Perry attended the common schools.He engaged in business in Albany, New York, in 1827 and continued until 1852.... |
1851 | 1854 | Merchant in live stock and provisions. Contracted to supply Union forces during the Civil War American Civil War The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25... but lost his fortune in the process. Cousin of Commodore William Perry William Perry William James Perry is an American businessman and engineer who was the United States Secretary of Defense from February 3, 1994, to January 23, 1997, under President Bill Clinton... ; Albany Law School Albany Law School Albany Law School is an ABA accredited law school based in Albany, New York. It was founded in 1851 by Amos Dean , Amasa Parker, Ira Harris and others.... organized during his tenure as Mayor. Also served as Alderman and Member of United States House of Representatives. Organized Albany Orphan Asylum. |
| William Parmelee | 1854 | 1856 | See first term entry above; died in office |
| Charles Watson Godard | 1856 | 1856 | Appointed by Common Council on the death of William Parmalee. Also served as Captain of the Port of New York, and was a prominent lecturer and philanthropist. |
| Eli Perry | 1856 | 1860 | See first term entry above |
| George Hornell Thacher | 1860 | 1862 | Owned Thacher Carwheel Co., headed Albany’s substantial humanitarian efforts during the Civil War. Also served as an Alderman. |
| Eli Perry | 1862 | 1866 | See first term entry above |
| George Hornell Thacher | 1866 | 1868 | See first term entry above |
| Charles Edward Bleecker | 1868 | 1870 | Planned Washington Park. During his term, construction of the Capitol began. First Mayor to have veto power. |
| George Hornell Thacher | 1870 | 1874 | See first term entry above; resigned during electoral challenge |
| John G. Burch | 1874 | 1874 | Coal and wood dealer and Alderman. Appointed to serve as Mayor during contested election between George Hornell Thacher and Edmund Lewis Judson. |
| Edmund Lewis Judson | 1874 | 1876 | Flour and provision merchant. Election was contested by George Thacher, contest dragged through the courts for two years; Judson was declared the winner only weeks before his first term ended. Also served as Alderman. |
| Anthony Bleecker Banks | 1876 | 1878 | Principal partner of Banks & Brothers, law publishers, booksellers, and importers; one of the oldest legal publishing houses in the United States. Served in New York State Assembly, New York State Senate. President of the Greenbush Bridge Company. |
| Michael Nicholas Nolan Michael N. Nolan Michael Allen Nicholas was a U.S. Representative from New York State as well as mayor of Albany, New York's capital... |
1878 | 1883 | Born in Ireland, also served in United States House of Representatives United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... . Albany's City Hall was destroyed by fire during his term; he resigned in 1883. He was the first Roman Catholic Mayor of Albany. |
| John Swinburne | 1883 | 1884 | Physician who served as a Medical Officer during the Civil War, and Surgeon-in-Chief of American Ambulance Corps during the Franco-Prussian War Franco-Prussian War The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and... . Electric streetlights installed in Albany during his time as Mayor. His election was contested, and he was not formally seated until near the end of his elected term. He was one of the four founding physicians involved in establishing Albany Medical College Albany Medical College Albany Medical College is a medical school located in Albany, New York, United States. It was founded in 1839 by Amos Dean, Dr. Thomas Hun and others, and is one of the oldest medical schools in the nation... . |
| Anthony Bleecker Banks | 1884 | 1886 | See first term entry above |
| John Boyd Thacher John Boyd Thacher John Boyd Thacher was the Mayor of Albany, New York and New York State Senator as well as an American manufacturer, writer, and book collector... |
1886 | 1888 | Author, philanthropist, bibliophile. Son of Mayor George Hornell Thacher, uncle of Mayor John Boyd Thacher II John Boyd Thacher II John Boyd Thacher II was the Mayor of Albany, New York from 1926 to 1941. He was the nephew of Albany mayor John Boyd Thacher and grandson of another Albany mayor, George H. Thacher.... . Also served as New York State Senator. In 1914, his widow donated the family land that formed the nucleus of the present-day John Boyd Thacher State Park John Boyd Thacher State Park John Boyd Thacher State Park is a state park located 15 miles southwest of Albany, New York near Voorheesville, in Albany County on State Route 157... . |
| Edward Augustin Maher | 1888 | 1890 | President of Union Railway Company and South End Bank. |
| James Hilton Manning | 1890 | 1894 | Publisher, President of the Weed Parsons Printing Company. Albany Railway Company (operator of Albany’s trolleys) converted to electric power during his term, eliminating horse-drawn carriages. Also President of the Hudson River Telephone Company and President of National Savings Bank. |
| Oren Elbridge Wilson | 1894 | 1895 | President of the Board of Education, Chief Accountant for Whitney’s Dry Goods Company. Also served as School Commissioner and President of the Board of Education. Appointed a Water Board favorable to building a filtration plant for the City, and significantly increased the size of the fire department. (Note: from this point forward, terms end on December 31, and the next Mayor's term begins on January 1, hence non-overlapping years) |
| John Boyd Thacher John Boyd Thacher John Boyd Thacher was the Mayor of Albany, New York and New York State Senator as well as an American manufacturer, writer, and book collector... |
1896 | 1897 | See first term entry above |
| Thomas Jefferson Van Alstyne | 1898 | 1899 | Civil War veteran, attorney; first public water filtration plant opened during his term. Also served as Judge, member of United States House of Representatives, and as a trustee of the Albany Institute. |
Twentieth century
| Mayor | Start | End | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Henry Blessing | 1900 | 1901 | Inventor of the return steam trap; Superintendent of the Townsend and Jackson Foundry and Machine Works Company; first Republican elected Mayor in over 20 years, largely due to a split Democratic ticket following Van Alstyne's retirement; his election marked the beginning of a two-decade span of control by Albany Republicans, whose organization was driven by William F. "Billy" Barnes, a party organizer Party organizer A party organizer or local party organizer is a position in some political parties in charge of the establishing a party organization in a certain locality.Herbert Ames wrote in his 1911 article "Organization of Political Parties in Canada" :... of State-wide and national prominence known as the "President Maker" for his successful efforts to secure the Republican nomination for William H. Taft in 1912. Albany's first public baths were opened during Blessing's administration. |
| Charles H. Gaus Charles H. Gaus Charles Henry Gaus was an American businessman and politician.-Life:... |
1902 | 1908 | Pharmacist and military officer. Major labor unrest at various times during his term, with butchers, trolley drivers, stovemounters, printers, composers and others striking. Also served as School Commissioner and Street Commissioner. Resigned to become New York State Comptroller New York State Comptroller The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:... . |
| Henry F. Snyder | 1909 | 1909 | Completed the fourth term of Charles H. Gaus; after completing his term as Mayor was elected Postmaster of Albany. |
| James Briggs McEwan | 1910 | 1913 | President of McEwan Coal Company. Glenn Curtiss Glenn Curtiss Glenn Hammond Curtiss was an American aviation pioneer and a founder of the U.S. aircraft industry. He began his career as a bicycle then motorcycle builder and racer, later also manufacturing engines for airships as early as 1906... flew non-stop from Albany to New York City during his term. Also served in New York State Assembly, New York State Senate, and Postmaster. |
| Joseph William Stevens | 1914 | 1917 | Tobacco merchant, Civil War veteran, also served as Alderman and President of the Common Council. |
| James R. Watt | 1918 | 1921 | Last mayor of the Billy Barnes Republican machine era (see James Henry Blessing above); major corruption scandals related to Barnes (primarily surrounding the misdirection of coal purchased by the City to machine favorites at a time of extremely high coal prices to the general populace) and a lengthy transit strike allowed Democrats to reclaim nearly every city office behind newly elected Mayor Hackett; Daniel P. "Uncle Dan" O'Connell Daniel P. O'Connell Daniel Patrick O'Connell was the leader of the Democratic Party political machine in Albany County, New York, from about 1919 until his death.... and his brothers were instrumental in rallying Democrats, and went on to be major Democratic power brokers in Albany, in allegiance with brothers Parker and Edwin Corning, grandsons of Mayor Erastus Corning Erastus Corning Erastus Corning I , American businessman and politician, was born in Norwich, Connecticut. Corning moved to Troy, New York at the age of 13 to clerk in the hardware store of an uncle; six years later he moved to Albany, New York, where he joined the mercantile business under James Spencer... ; Edwin was also father to Erastus Corning 2nd Erastus Corning 2nd Erastus Corning 2nd was an American politician. He was Mayor of Albany, New York for more than 40 years, from 1942 to 1983, when Albany County was controlled by one of the last two classic urban political machines in the United States. Albany's longest serving mayor, the Democrat died in office in... . In 1919, Watt became the first Albany Mayor to win an election in which women voted. |
| William Stormont Hackett | 1922 | 1926 | Banker and attorney; admitted to the bar by reading law Reading law Reading law is the method by which persons in common law countries, particularly the United States, entered the legal profession before the advent of law schools. This usage specifically refers to a means of entering the profession . A small number of U.S... during a clerkship. Died while in office, killed in a car accident in Cuba; contemporary accounts indicate that he would have been the next Democratic nominee for Governor of New York had he lived. First mayor elected under the patronage of the emerging Dan O'Connell Daniel P. O'Connell Daniel Patrick O'Connell was the leader of the Democratic Party political machine in Albany County, New York, from about 1919 until his death.... and Edwin Corning-led political alliance, which merged blue-collar Irish Catholic and wealthy Episcopal factions into a machine that dominated Albany politics for most of the 20th Century. |
| John Boyd Thacher II John Boyd Thacher II John Boyd Thacher II was the Mayor of Albany, New York from 1926 to 1941. He was the nephew of Albany mayor John Boyd Thacher and grandson of another Albany mayor, George H. Thacher.... |
1927 | 1940 | Attorney and banker; fourth longest total time of service by an Albany Mayor, after Erastus Corning 2nd, Philip S. Van Rensselaer and Gerald D. Jennings; a loyal O'Connell-Corning patronage selectee who resigned in 1940 to serve as Judge of the Albany County Children's Court. |
| Herman F. Hoogkamp | 1940 | 1941 | Linotype machinist for the Knickerbocker News. Completed unexpired term of John Boyd Thacher II. |
| Erastus Corning 2nd Erastus Corning 2nd Erastus Corning 2nd was an American politician. He was Mayor of Albany, New York for more than 40 years, from 1942 to 1983, when Albany County was controlled by one of the last two classic urban political machines in the United States. Albany's longest serving mayor, the Democrat died in office in... |
1941 | 1983 | Insurance salesman and son of Edwin Corning, long-time Dan O'Connell ally. Longest serving Mayor of a major city in American history. Great-grandson of Mayor Erastus Corning Erastus Corning Erastus Corning I , American businessman and politician, was born in Norwich, Connecticut. Corning moved to Troy, New York at the age of 13 to clerk in the hardware store of an uncle; six years later he moved to Albany, New York, where he joined the mercantile business under James Spencer... ; with O'Connell, presided over one of the most successful political patronage machines in American history. Corning died in office during his eleventh term as mayor. |
| Frank Salisbury Harris | 1944 | 1945 | Real estate agent; acting mayor during Corning's military service in World War II. |
| Thomas Michael Whalen III Thomas Michael Whalen III Thomas Michael Whalen III, also known as Thomas M. Whalen III, and more simply, Tom Whalen, was a three-term mayor of Albany, New York. A native of Albany, he was an attorney. He graduated from Manhattan College and Albany Law School.... |
1983 | 1993 | Attorney. His tenure is noted for its focus on successful financial and civil service reform, opening the processes of city hall, using the arts and the city park system as a catalyst for growth and improving the City's image both domestically and worldwide. The City was designated an "All-American City" under his leadership, attained the highest possible bond rating from Moody's and hosted many successful downtown cultural events. A memorial statue of him can be found in downtown Albany's Tricentennial Park Tricentennial Park (Albany, New York) Tricentennial Park is an urban park in Albany, New York built to commemorate that city's three hundredth anniversary as an incorporated city and is the site of several statues and monuments. The park encompasses the entire block bounded by Broadway to the east, Columbia Street to the north, James... . |
| Gerald D. Jennings | 1994 | Present | Public school teacher and administrator. Mayor Jennings is the 74th and current Mayor of Albany. He won a shocking upset in the 1993 Democratic mayoral primary over Harold Joyce, who had the Democratic Party’s formal endorsement and had only recently been its chairman. This primary victory is often viewed as marking the end of the Corning-O'Connell machine era in Albany. Mayor Jennings is currently serving in his fourth term of office, and has been elected to a fifth term. By the end of his fifth term, he will be the second longest serving Mayor in Albany's history, after Erastus Corning 2nd. Also served as Alderman. |