​COSBY, William, governor of New York, b. about 1695; d. in New York city, 10 March, 1736. After serving as a colonel in the army, and being governor of Minorca and of the Leeward islands, he became governor of New York in 1731, and held the office till his death. His administration was turbulent and unpopular. He appointed James De Lancey his successor, held in contempt the elective franchise, and continued the same assembly six years, without permitting its dissolution.