role, but loyally supported the Jackson administration. Later life Dudley retired at the end of his term and spent the rest of his life in Albany, retaining his interest in politics as Jackson, Van Buren and others worked to form the Democratic Party after the Democratic-Republicans split in 1824, depending on which presidential candidate they supported. Personal life Dudley married Blandina Bleecker (1783–1863), a member of a prominent Albany family. Blandina was a daughter of Rutger Bleecker (a grandson of mayor Rutger Jansen Bleecker) and Catharine ( Elmendorf) Bleecker. Dudley died in Albany on January 23, 1841. He was buried at Albany Rural Cemetery. Legacy Dudley was an amateur astronomer. In 1856, his widow provided funds for an observatory in Albany, which was named for her husband. See also History of Albany, New York List of United States senators born outside the United States References External links 1780 births 1841 deaths British emigrants to the United States Mayors of Albany, New York People from the Borough of Stafford American people of English descent New York (state) state senators New York (state) Jacksonians 19th-century American politicians Democratic Party United States senators from New York (state) 1816 United States presidential electors