Stephen Van Rensselaer was an American Lieutenant-Governor, stateman, land owner, and soldier who had an inflation-adjusted estimated net worth of $68 billion.

Van Rensselaer became a land owner when he took possession of his family's 1,200 square mile estate, calling it Rensslaerswyck.

His career as a soldier started when he became a militia major-general in 1801. Instead of continuing to serve in the military, he focused on his political ambition.

Meanwhile, he was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1789 to 1791, and the New York State Senate from 1791 to 1796. He was elected as an honorary member of the New York Society of the Cincinnati in 1781.

He was proclaimed Lieutenant Governor of New York from 1795 to 1801. He advocated for the construction of a canal from the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, and was appointed to a commission to investigate the route in 1810.

He was an opposition candidate for the Governor position in New York, but accepted incumbent Governor Daniel D. Tompkins offer of command of the United States Army of the Centre.

On October 13, 1812, Van Rennselaer launched an attack on a British position that evolved into the Battle of Queenston Heights. The defeat at Queenston Heights spelled the end to van Rensselaer's military career, and he resigned his post after the battle. He had no more fortune with his political ambition, losing the the gubernatorial election in April 1813 to Tompkins.

Stephen Van Rensselaer III was born on November 1, 1764 in New York City, New York, USA. He graduated from Harvard University in 1782. He married twice; first to Margaret Schuyler, who died in 1801, and Cornelia Paterson a year later. He had three sons.

He died on January 26, 1839 at age 74.