Pierre van Cortlandt (1721 - 1814) was the first Lieutenant Governor of the State of New York in the USA. He was born in New York, the son of Philip van Cortlandt (1683 -1748) and Catherine DePeyster.

Van Cortlandt served briefly in the colonial forces during the American Revolution is spite of efforts by British officials to ensure his loyalty to Great Britain. His primary work was to form the political structure of the state during the war. He served as head of the convention that wrote the first state constitution in Kingston, New York and then was its first Lt. Governor until 1795 with his long-time friend and associate Governor George Clinton.

Van Cortlandt was married to Joanna Livingston. He died in New York.

Cortland County, New York is named after him.

External links

• A brief van Cortlandt family history
• Van Cortlandt Manor