William Peter Van Ness

William Peter Van Ness (February 13, 1778 – September 6, 1826) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New York and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, also notable for serving as Aaron Burr's second in Burr's duel with Alexander Hamilton. Education and career Van Ness was born on February 13, 1778, in a portion of Claverack, New York that later became part of the town of Ghent Van Ness attended Washington Seminary graduated from Columbia College (now part of Columbia University) in 1797 and read law with Edward Livingston in 1800. He practiced in New York City from 1800 to 1801. In 1801, Van Ness served as a delegate to the New York Constitutional Convention, which was called to amend the state constitution of 1777. He continued private practice in Albany, New York starting in 1801 and in Hudson, New York, before resuming private practice in New York City until 1812. Notable legal apprentice Martin Van Buren completed his legal studies in Van Ness's office in 1802 and became an attorney in Columbia County, New York.