Alfred Ronalds Conkling (September 28 1850 – September 18 1917) was an American geologist, lawyer, writer, and politician from New York.
Born in New York City, he was the son of Frederick A. Conkling and Eleonora Ronalds, and a member of the prominent Seymour‑Conkling family. He attended the Mount Washington Collegiate Institute before studying mining and metallurgy at the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, graduating in 1870 with a Bachelor of Philosophy. He pursued further studies at Harvard University under noted scientists such as Louis Agassiz and Josiah Whitney, and later studied geology and mineralogy at the University of Berlin.
From 1872 to 1879 Conkling served as a United States geologist for the Wheeler Survey, a federal exploration of the western United States. After leaving government service he read law under Erastus C. Benedict, earned his law degree from Columbia Law School in 1879, and was appointed Assistant United States District Attorney (1881–1882). He subsequently opened a private law practice in New York City.
Conkling entered politics as a Republican. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House of Representatives from New York’s 7th congressional district in 1884, then served on the New York City Common Council (1887–1888). He was elected to the New York State Assembly representing New York County’s 7th District, serving in the sessions of 1892 and 1895.
In 1896 Conkling married painter Eastman Johnson’s daughter, Ethel Eastman Johnson; the couple had three daughters. He was active in civic organizations, including the Episcopal Church, the National Municipal League, the Metropolitan Club, the City Club of New York, and the Country Club of Tuxedo. As an author he published works such as Appleton’s Guide to Mexico, a biography titled Life and Letters of Roscoe Conkling, and City Government in the United States.
Following a family inheritance dispute that placed him as guardian and trustee of a substantial estate, Conkling faced legal challenges from his daughters. Depressed by the impending court case, he died by suicide on September 18 1917, two days before his scheduled appearance. He was interred at Green‑Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
