New York State Attorney General

New York State Attorney General. The Office of the Attorney General of New York has a long and distinguished history dating back to 1777 when the state was first established following American independence. This comprehensive list presents all New York State Attorneys General in reverse chronological order, from the current officeholder to the very first person to hold this prestigious position.

Recent Attorneys General (2000-Present)

The 21st century has seen the Office of the New York Attorney General gain national prominence through its high-profile investigations and legal actions. The most recent holders of this office include:

Current Attorney General

Letitia James is currently serving as the 67th Attorney General of New York. She made history as the first African American and first woman to be elected to this position.

• Letitia James (2019-present): The incumbent Attorney General who assumed office on January 1, 2019. Prior to becoming Attorney General, James served as the New York City Public Advocate.

Previous Modern Attorneys General

• Barbara Underwood (Acting) (2018): Served as Acting Attorney General following Eric Schneiderman’s resignation.
• Eric Schneiderman (2011-2018): Resigned from office in May 2018.
• Andrew M. Cuomo (2007-2010): Later became Governor of New York.
• Eliot Spitzer (1999-2006): Also later served as Governor of New York before resigning amid scandal.

Late 20th Century Attorneys General (1950-1999)

The latter half of the 20th century saw several long-serving Attorneys General who shaped the modern office:

• Dennis Vacco (1995-1998)
• G. Oliver Koppell (1994)
• Robert Abrams (1979-1993): Served for 14 years, one of the longest tenures in the office’s modern history.
• Louis J. Lefkowitz (1957-1987): Holds the record for longest-serving New York Attorney General at 21 years.
• Jacob K. Javits (1955-1957): Later became a prominent U.S. Senator.

Mid-20th Century Attorneys General (1900-1949)

This period saw the office evolve significantly during times of great change in America:

• Nathaniel L. Goldstein (1943-1954)1
• John J. Bennett, Jr. (1931-1942)1
• Hamilton Ward, Jr. (1929-1930)1
• Albert Ottinger (1925-1928)1
• Carl Sherman (1923-1924)1
• Charles D. Newton (1919-1922)1
• Merton E. Lewis (1917-1918)13
• Egburt E. Woodbury (1915-1917)13
• James A. Parsons (1914)13
• Thomas Carmody (1911-1914)13
• Edward Richard O’Malley (1909-1910)13
• William S. Jackson (1907-1908)13
• Julius M. Mayer (1905-1906)13
• John Cunneen (1903-1904)13

Late 19th Century Attorneys General (1850-1899)

This era was marked by significant legal developments following the Civil War:

• John C. Davies (1899-1902)13
• Theodore E. Hancock (1894-1898)13
• Simon W. Rosendale (1892-1893)13
• Charles F. Tabor (1888-1891)13
• Denis O’Brien (1884-1887)13
• Leslie W. Russell (1882-1883)13
• Hamilton Ward, Sr. (1880-1881)13
• Augustus Schoonmaker, Jr. (1878-1879)13
• Charles S. Fairchild (1876-1877)13
• Daniel Pratt (1874-1875)13
• Francis C. Barlow (1872-1873)13
• Marshall B. Champlain (1868-1871)13
• John H. Martindale (1866-1867)13
• John Cochrane (1864-1865)13
• Daniel S. Dickinson (1862-1863)13
• Charles G. Myers (1860-1861)13
• Lyman Tremain (1858-1859)13
• Stephen B. Cushing (1856-1857)13
• Ogden Hoffman (1854-1855)13
• Gardner Stow (1853)
• Levi S. Chatfield (1850-1853)

Mid-19th Century Attorneys General (1800-1849)

During this period, several notable political figures served as Attorney General:

• Ambrose L. Jordan (1848-1849)13
• John Van Buren (1845-1848): Son of President Martin Van Buren13
• George P. Barker (1842-1845)13
• Willis Hall (1839-1842)13
• Samuel Beardsley (1836-1839)13
• Greene C. Bronson (1829-1836)13
• Samuel A. Talcott (1821-1829)13
• Thomas Jackson Oakley (1819-1821)13
• Martin Van Buren (1815-1819): Later became the 8th President of the United States13
• Abraham Van Vechten (1813-1815)13
• Thomas Addis Emmet (1812-1813)13
• Matthias B. Hildreth (1808-1812): Served two separate terms, with a brief interruption13
• Abraham Van Vechten (1810-1811): Had multiple non-consecutive terms13
• John Woodworth (1804-1808)13
• Ambrose Spencer (1802-1804)13

Early Attorneys General (1777-1799)

The founding period includes some of America’s most prominent early statesmen:

• Josiah Ogden Hoffman (1795-1802)13
• Nathaniel Lawrence (1792-1795)13
• Morgan Lewis (1791-1792)13
• Aaron Burr (1789-1791): Later became Vice President under Thomas Jefferson and infamous for his duel with Alexander Hamilton
• Richard Varick (1788-1789)3
• Egbert Benson (1777-1788): The first Attorney General of the State of New York3

Conclusion

The Office of the New York State Attorney General has evolved significantly since its establishment in 1777. From Egbert Benson to current Attorney General Letitia James, this position has been held by numerous distinguished legal minds, including future U.S. presidents, governors, and prominent federal officials. The 67 individuals who have served in this role have helped shape not only New York’s legal system but also, in many cases, the nation’s jurisprudence and political landscape.