Richard Varick (1753-1831) served as New York’s second Attorney General from 1788 to 1790 and is often regarded as a “forgotten founding father” due to his significant yet overlooked contributions during the American Revolution.
Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, he studied law in the offices of John Morin Scott during the years 1771 to 1774 and was admitted to the bar in the city of New York on October 22, 1774.
Scott invited Varick to join him in partnership, but not long afterward, Varick, who shared Scott’s political views, enlisted in the New York militia.
In June 1775, Varick was appointed military secretary to General Philip Schuyler, from September 1776, he served as Deputy Commissary General of Musters for the Northern Army, and on April 10, 1777, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
He later served under Benedict Arnold at West Point and after being declared loyal by George Washington after Arnold’s treason, he would go on to form a life-long friendship with the first President.
In 1781 Washington appointed Varick to preserve his and the army’s papers, planning documents and correspondence. Varick established an office at Poughkeepsie, where he and his assistants worked on this project for two years, resulting in forty-four folio volumes known as the Varick Transcripts.
When the British forces were evacuated from the city of New York in 1783, Richard Varick became Recorder of the City, a position he held until 1788 when he was appointed Attorney General of the State of New York.
As Attorney General, Varick played a crucial role in shaping New York State’s early legal framework, advocating for justice and the rule of law during a formative time in American history. His tenure marked the transition from colonial law to a structured state legal system, influencing subsequent developments in the office.
In 1789, Governor George Clinton appointed Varick Mayor of the city of New York, a position he held until 1801. During this time, he oversaw the City’s rapid growth, dealt with public health epidemics, and instituted penal reforms and relief for the poor.
Richard Varick and Samuel Jones were appointed by the Legislature to produce a revision of the Laws of New York and their work was published in 1789. Meanwhile, Varick became Speaker of the Assembly in 1787. He was as a delegate to the NY State Constitutional Convention of 1821.
With fellow attorneys Dey and Radcliff, he founded Jersey City where he died on July 30, 1831. His funeral was held in the city of New York with Chancellor James Kent among the pallbearers.
This essay is one of a series by the Historical Society of the New York Courts on the history of New York’s Attorneys General. You can read them all here.
The Historical Society of the New York Courts brings together judges and lawyers to preserve, protect, and promote the legal history of New York — how it works to promote democracy, ensure justice, and promote the rule of law. Learn more about the Society and support their efforts by becoming a member or donating here.
