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                                                                      Exhibit 23


               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

The Board of Directors
Alleghany Corporation:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements Nos.
333-37237, 333-57133 and 333-76159 on Forms S-8 and Nos. 33-55707, 33-62477,
333-09881 and 333-13971 on Forms S-3 of our reports dated March 8, 2001,
relating to the financial statements and related schedules of Alleghany
Corporation and subsidiaries, which appear in, or are incorporated by reference
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Alleghany Corporation for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2000. We also consent to the reference to our Firm in
Registration Statement Nos. 333-37237, 333-57133 and 333-76159 and under the
heading "Experts" in Registration Statement Nos. 33-55707, 33-62477, 333-09881
and 333-13971.

/s/ KPMG LLP

New York, New York
March 20, 2001