Henry R. Pierson

Henry Rufus Pierson (June 13, 1819 – January 1, 1890) was an American lawyer and politician from New York.

Life
He graduated from Union College in 1846. Then he studied law, first in Cherry Valley, then in New York City, was admitted to the bar in 1848, and practiced. In 1849, he moved to Brooklyn. He was an Alderman (3rd Ward) of Brooklyn from 1858 to 1860, and was President of the Board of Aldermen. He was President of the Brooklyn City Railroad from 1860 to 1869.

He was a member of the New York State Senate (2nd D.) in 1866 and 1867. In 1869, he went to Chicago as Financial Agent of the North Western Railroad, and was the company's vice president for two years.

In 1872, he moved to Albany, and was a member of the New York State Assembly (Albany Co., 2nd D.) in 1873. He was elected a Regent of the University of the State of New York, and was Vice Chancellor from 1878 to 1881, and Chancellor from 1881 until his death.

He died from the Russian flu at his home in Albany, and was buried at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.