John Van Schaick Lansing Pruyn (June 22, 1811 – November 21, 1877) was an American lawyer, businessman and politician from Albany, New York.

His business ventures included banking and railroads, often in partnership with longtime friend Erastus Corning, who was the uncle of Pruyn's first wife.

His business interests included the Albany City Bank, of which Pruyn was an incorporator and the longtime vice president.

[1] Pruyn had the honor of laying the new capitol's first stone, which he did in an 1869 ceremony that included Governor John T. Hoffman and other prominent dignitaries.

He was elected as a Democrat to the 38th United States Congress, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Erastus Corning, holding office from December 7, 1863, to March 3, 1865.

Like many pro-Union Democrats, Pruyn also argued that in prosecuting the war, Abraham Lincoln's administration sometimes overstepped its authority with regard to individual liberties and civil rights.

During the subsequent scandal and investigation, his name appeared on lists of Congressmen who owned shares, but records showed he had paid for his stock.

[1] After the death of his first wife Pruyn married Anna Fenn Parker (March 26, 1840 – October 7, 1909), the daughter of Amasa J.

[26] Rice was an aide to Governor Samuel Tilden and President Grover Cleveland, and succeeded Theodore Roosevelt as a member of the United States Civil Service Commission.