Egbert Benson
Artist: John Vanderlyn & Gilbert Stuart (American, John Vanderlyn: 1775–1852; Gilbert Stuart: 1755–1828)
Original Dimensions: 29 3/4" x 23 7/8"
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
About Artwork: (ca. 1794) "Egbert Benson (1746–1833) was born in New York. After graduating from King's College (now Columbia University), he became a lawyer. In 1777, he became the first attorney general of the state of New York, an office he held until 1787. He was also a member of the first state legislature. He served in the Continental Congress for several terms. He was a judge of the State Supreme Court from 1794 to 1801 and in the latter year was appointed judge of the United States Circuit Court. From 1789 to 1802, he was a regent of the University of New York. He was also a founder and the first president of the New-York Historical Society. Gilbert Stuart painted two portraits of Benson, one in 1794 (John Jay Homestead State Historical Site, Katonah, New York) and the other in 1805 (New-York Historical Society). Vanderlyn copied the earlier likeness, apparently around 1794, shortly after its execution." - (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

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