Richard Varick

Richard Varick
45th Mayor of New York City
In office 1789–1801
Preceded by	James Duane
Succeeded by	Edward Livingston
2nd Attorney General of New York
In office May 14, 1788 – September 29, 1789
Preceded by	Egbert Benson
Succeeded by	Aaron Burr
Personal details
Born	March 15, 1753 Hackensack, Bergen County, Province of New Jersey
Died	July 30, 1831 (aged 78) Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey
Nationality	American
Political party	Federalist
Spouse(s)	Maria Roosevelt

Richard Varick was an American lawyer and politician. He was born on March 15, 1753, at Hackensack in Bergen County, New Jersey, and he died on July 30, 1831, at Jersey City in Hudson County, New Jersey.

At the outset of the American Revolution, he was studying law at King's College (the former name of Columbia University) in New York City. He suspended his studies and became a captain in the militia. On June 28, 1775, he was appointed captain of the 1st New York Regiment. He served under General Philip Schuyler in various posts until after the Battle of Saratoga when he was appointed inspector-general of West Point.

At West Point, he became an aide to General Benedict Arnold. Although he was no longer serving in this capacity when Arnold defected to the British, Varick, along with David Franks, was arrested. The two were subsequently cleared by a court of inquiry. After the West Point incident, Varick served under General George Washington as private secretary until the end of the war.

Varick was Recorder of New York from 1784 to 1789, and New York State Attorney General from 1788 to 1789. He was Mayor of New York City from 1789 to 1801. While Mayor, he focused on the yellow fever epidemics which struck repeatedly. Along with Samuel Jones, Varick revised and standardized the statutes of New York (1788). He was a member of the New York State Assembly from New York County from 1786 to 1788, and he was Speaker during the sessions of 1787 and 1788. Meanwhile, he served as a colonel in the state militia.

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