Richard Varick

Richard Varick (March 15, 1753 – July 30, 1831) was an American lawyer, military officer, and politician who has been referred to as "The Forgotten Founding Father." A major figure in the development of post-Independence New York City and the state of New York, Varick became the 45th Mayor of New York City in 1789 and served eleven consecutive one-year terms until 1801.

Previous to his terms as mayor, Varick served as the 14th Recorder of New York City from 1784 to 1789. An office that no longer exists, it equates to 'Chief Legal Officer'. Along with Samuel Jones, Varick codified New York State's first statutes after the American Revolution in the Laws of New York (2 vols., 1789). This body of work laid the legal groundwork for Varick to institute the Law of New York, the New York City Administrative Code, and the Rules of New York City during his terms as mayor. Additionally, under his leadership, the progenitors of the New York City Department of Health, the New York Stock Exchange, and many other organizations would be created. These organizations established the foundation of modern New York City.

During the American Revolutionary War, Varick served as George Washington's aide-de-camp and private secretary. Varick's body of work from this era would lead to the Varick Transcripts, which now live in the Library of Congress. The value of these documents has been noted throughout their lifetime as invaluable to the understanding of the formation of the United States.

Varick was a founder of the Society of the Cincinnati and the American Bible Society, and was a slaveholder. He was also a longtime trustee of Columbia University, where he was chairman of the board from 1810 to 1816.