Killian K. Van Rensselaer

Killian Killian Van Rensselaer (June 9, 1763 – June 18, 1845) was an American lawyer and Federalist politician who served in the United States Congress as a Representative from the state of New York.

Van Rensselaer was born in Greenbush, New York to Kiliaen van Rensselaer (1717–1781) and his first wife, Ariaantie Schuyler (1720–1763). His older brothers included Henry van Rensselaer (1744–1816) and Philip Kiliaen van Rensselaer (1747–1798). He was the cousin of Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, who was also a U.S. Representative. His paternal grandfather was Hendrick van Rensselaer (1667–1740), director of the Eastern patent of the Rensselaerswyck manor, and his paternal grandmother was Catharina Van Brugh, daughter of merchant Johannes Pieterse Van Brugh (1624–1697).

He completed preparatory studies and attended Yale College, where he studied law.

He was admitted to the bar in 1784, and commenced practice in Claverack, New York. He was private secretary to General Philip Schuyler (1733–1804), a general in the American Revolutionary War and later a United States Senator.

Van Rensselaer was elected as a Federalist to the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh United States Congresses, serving from March 4, 1801 to March 3, 1811. Afterwards, he resumed the practice of law.

In 1791, Van Rensselaer married Margaret Sanders (1764–1830). Together they had:

• John Sanders van Rensselaer (1792–1868), who married Ann Dunkin (1795–1845)

Van Rensselaer died in Albany, New York, aged 82, and was interred in a private cemetery at East Greenbush.

Killian's grandson was Charles van Rensselaer (1823–1857), the first officer on the SS Central America, when it was lost during a hurricane in September 1857.