Van Rensselaer, Stephen (1764–1839)

American public official and soldier. A commander during the Anglo-American War of 1812–14 he suffered a serious defeat at Queenstown, Canada. He was a US congressman 1822–29. As president of the New York Canal Commission 1825–39 he oversaw the construction of the Erie Canal.

Born in New York, Van Rensselaer was educated at Harvard University and inherited extensive real estate holdings. He served in the New York state assembly 1789–91, in the state senate 1791–96, and as a major general in the militia.

He founded the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1824.