Matthew Clarkson was an American soldier, politician, and philanthropist. He served as a Member of the New York State Senate from 1793 to 1795. He was the 6th President of the Bank of New York from 1804 to 1825.
Background
Matthew Clarkson was born on October 17, 1758 in New York City, New York, United States. He was the son of David and Elizabeth (French) Clarkson, and the great-grandson of Matthew Clarkson, who came from good family connections in England to New York in 1690, as secretary of the province. The descendants of the Secretary intermarried with leading provincial families and otherwise won a strong position in the mercantile and political affairs of the community.
Career
In the Revolutionary period young Matthew participated as a volunteer in the battle of Long Island. Later he was aide-de-camp to Arnold, was wounded at Fort Edward, and behaved with gallantry in the battle of Saratoga. Following his chief to Philadelphia, he became involved in a heated newspaper controversy with Thomas Paine over the Silas Deane affair, his precise relationship to the matter in dispute being somewhat obscure.
In the early part of 1779, owing to his refusal in disrespectful terms of a summons from the President and Executive Council of Pennsylvania, he received a reprimand from Congress, which body, however, at the same time granted his request for opportunity to serve in southern territory. He was attached to the staff of General Lincoln, and served with him until the end of the war, and also as assistant to the latter during his term as secretary of war. Clarkjon’s military career included later service as brigadier-general and then as major-general of New York state militia. Naturally he was called General Clarkson and was an early member of the Cincinnati.
His life after retirement from active military service was that of a public-spirited citizen of means and leisure. He was a regent of the State University of New York; a member of the Assembly for one term (1789 - 1790); United States marshal (1791 - 1792); a member of the state Senate for two terms (1794 and 1795); one of the commissioners to build a new prison (1796 - 1797); president of the New York Hospital (1799) ; and president of the Bank of New York (1804 - 1825).
He was the Federalist candidate for the United States Senate in 1802, but was defeated on the joint ballot by DeWitt Clinton. Aside from his military record perhaps the most characteristic aspect of his career concerns his connection with the numerous societies and “movements” for public improvement which were coming into existence in New York City in the half-century after independence. His integrity, his high social position, personal amiability, and ample means all combined to give him prominence in this relation.
Achievements
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
“Whenever a charitable or public-spirited institution was about to be established Clarkson’s presence was deemed essential. His sanction became a passport to public approbation. ” - DeWitt Clinton
Connections
Clarkson was married twice: first, on May 24, 1785, to Mary Rutherfurd; second, on February 14, 1792, to Sarah Cornell.