EXHIBIT 23.1

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Directors
The St. Paul Companies, Inc.:


    We consent to the use of our reports incorporated herein by reference in the
Registration Statement (No. 333-44122) on Form S-3 of the St. Paul Companies,
Inc. and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the
prospectus.


                                          /s/ KPMG LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
August 29, 2000