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<TITLE>Form S-8</TITLE>
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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April&nbsp;23, 2010</B></DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-</B><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U>
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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 6pt; margin-top: 10pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 6pt; margin-top: 10pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 0pt"><B>ALLEGHANY CORPORATION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>51-0283071</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(State of Incorporation)</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>7 Times Square Tower</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>New&nbsp;York, New&nbsp;York</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>10036</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(Zip Code)</B></TD>
</TR>
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</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Alleghany Corporation 2010 Directors&#146; Stock Plan</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt"><B>(Full title of the plan)</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Christopher K. Dalrymple<BR>
Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary<BR>
Alleghany Corporation<BR>
7 Times Square Tower<BR>
New&nbsp;York, New&nbsp;York 10036<BR>
(212)&nbsp;752-1356<BR>
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)</B></DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated
filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
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    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>Large accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#254;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>Accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>Non-accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>Smaller reporting company <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="22" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount to Be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Aggregate</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Title of Securities to Be Registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registered</B>(1)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Per Share</B>(2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price</B>(2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registration Fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, par
value $1.00 per
share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="center" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">60,000 shares</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">303.92</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">18,235,200</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">1,300.17</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="22" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</DIV>





<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR style="font-size: 6pt">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement also covers any additional shares of Common Stock which become issuable pursuant to
the provisions of the plan listed above by reason of antidilution and other adjustments.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, solely for the purpose of
calculating the registration fee, these amounts were estimated on the basis of the average of
the high and low sales prices of the Common Stock as reported on the New&nbsp;York Stock Exchange
on April&nbsp;21, 2010.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">






<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>PART I</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">The document(s) containing the information specified by Part&nbsp;I of this Registration Statement
on Form S-8 (this &#147;Registration Statement&#148;) will be sent or given to participants in the Alleghany
Corporation 2010 Directors&#146; Stock Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) as specified in Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) promulgated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;). Such document(s) are not being filed with the Commission either as
part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule
424 but taken together, along with the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement pursuant to Item&nbsp;3 of Part&nbsp;II hereof, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements
of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">The following documents filed with the Commission by Alleghany Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;) are
incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 10pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31,
2009; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 8pt">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR> <TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Company&#146;s Common Stock contained in the Company&#146;s
Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;10 filed pursuant to Section&nbsp;12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), which incorporates by reference
certain portions of the Company&#146;s Proxy Statement dated November&nbsp;26, 1986 relating to
its Special Meeting of Stockholders held on December&nbsp;19, 1986; such description is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the (i)&nbsp;the Company&#146;s Restated Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended, and (ii)&nbsp;the Company&#146;s By-Laws, as amended, incorporated
by reference as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, in this Registration Statement,
and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating that description.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that
all securities offered hereunder have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
unsold hereunder, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof
from the date of filing of such documents.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to
the extent that a statement contained herein (or in any other subsequently filed document that also
is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein) modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Registration Statement.
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 8%">Not applicable.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 8%">Not applicable.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">The Company is a Delaware corporation. Reference is made to Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law (the &#147;DGCL&#148;) as to indemnification by the Company of its officers and
directors. The general effect of such law is to empower a corporation to indemnify any of its
officers and directors against certain expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person to be indemnified in
connection with certain actions, suits or proceedings (threatened, pending or completed) if the
person to be indemnified acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be
in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">Article&nbsp;Tenth of the Company&#146;s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (which
Restated Certificate of Incorporation is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 in this
Registration Statement), provides for the indemnification of the Company&#146;s officers and directors
in accordance with the DGCL, and includes, as permitted by the DGCL, certain limitations on the
potential personal liability of members of the Company&#146;s Board of Directors (the &#147;Board&#148;) for
monetary damages as a result of actions taken in their capacity as members of the Board.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">The directors and officers of the Company are covered by insurance policies indemnifying them
against certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act, which might be incurred by them in
such capacities.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 8%">Not applicable.
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 8%">The following are filed as exhibits hereto.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="77%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit Number</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

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<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">3.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">The Company&#146;s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
by Amendment accepted and received for filing by the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware on June&nbsp;23, 1988, filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company&#146;s
Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-3 (No.&nbsp;333-134996) filed on June&nbsp;14, 2006, is
incorporated herein by reference.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">3.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">The Company&#146;s By-Laws, as amended December&nbsp;19, 2006, filed as
Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed on December&nbsp;22,
2006, are incorporated herein by reference.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Alleghany Corporation 2010 Directors&#146; Stock Plan effective as of
April&nbsp;23, 2010, included as Exhibit&nbsp;A to the Company&#146;s Proxy Statement dated
March&nbsp;17, 2010 filed in connection with its Annual Meeting of Stockholders held
on April&nbsp;23, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Dewey &#038; LeBoeuf LLP.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Dewey &#038; LeBoeuf LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5 hereto).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of KPMG LLP.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">24</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Powers of Attorney.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 4%">(a)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">(1)&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 8%">(i)&nbsp;To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">(ii)&nbsp;To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this
Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration
Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered
(if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and
any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in
the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20&nbsp;percent change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in this effective
Registration Statement;
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">(iii)&nbsp;To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in
this Registration Statement;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do
not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">(2)&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">(3)&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(b)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(c)&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
indemnification provisions summarized in Item&nbsp;6 above or otherwise, the registrant has been advised
that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New&nbsp;York, State of New&nbsp;York, on April&nbsp;20, 2010.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">ALLEGHANY CORPORATION<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Weston M. Hicks
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Weston M. Hicks&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">President&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD align="left">Date: April 20, 2010&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">*
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Rex D. Adams&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">Date:       April 20, 2010&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Jerry G. Borelli
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Jerry G. Borelli&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Vice President<br>
(principal accounting officer)&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">Date:         April 20, 2010&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">*
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Karen Brenner&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">Date:        April 20, 2010&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">*
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">John J. Burns, Jr.&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Chairman of the Board and Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">Date:                  April 20, 2010&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">*
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Dan R. Carmichael&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD align="left">Date: April 20, 2010&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Roger B. Gorham
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Roger B. Gorham&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Senior Vice President<br>
(principal financial officer)&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">Date:                April 20, 2010&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>

<TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Weston M. Hicks
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Weston M. Hicks&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">President and Director<br>
(principal executive officer)&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">Date:                April 20, 2010&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">*
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Thomas S. Johnson&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">Date:          April 20, 2010&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">*
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Jefferson W. Kirby&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">Date:          April 20, 2010&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">*
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">William K. Lavin&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">Date:         April 20, 2010&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">*
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Phillip M. Martineau&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">Date:           April 20, 2010&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">*
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">James F. Will&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">Date:        April 20, 2010&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">*
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Raymond L.M. Wong&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="60%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top">*By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>

<TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">                        /s/ Weston M. Hicks
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Weston M. Hicks&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Attorney-in-Fact&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<div align="left" style="margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 10pt"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B></div>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="77%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit Number</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">3.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">The Company&#146;s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
by Amendment accepted and received for filing by the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware on June&nbsp;23, 1988, filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company&#146;s
Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-3 (No.&nbsp;333-134996) filed on June&nbsp;14, 2006, is
incorporated herein by reference.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
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    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">3.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">The Company&#146;s By-Laws, as amended December&nbsp;19, 2006, filed as
Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed on December&nbsp;22,
2006, are incorporated herein by reference.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
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    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Alleghany Corporation 2010 Directors&#146; Stock Plan effective as of
April&nbsp;23, 2010, included as Exhibit&nbsp;A to the Company&#146;s Proxy Statement dated
March&nbsp;17, 2010 filed in connection with its Annual Meeting of Stockholders held
on April&nbsp;23, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
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    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Dewey &#038; LeBoeuf LLP.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
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    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Dewey &#038; LeBoeuf (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5 hereto).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
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    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of KPMG LLP.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
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    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
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    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">24</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Powers of Attorney.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "c99576sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 50589}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ALLEGHANY CORP /DE", "cik": "0000775368", "assigned-sic": "6331", "irs-number": "510283071", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-166259", "film-number": "10766863"}, "business-address": {"street1": "375 PARK AVENUE", "street2": "SUITE 3201", "city": "NEW YORK", "state": "NY", "zip": "10152", "phone": "2127521356"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "375 PARK AVENUE", "street2": "SUITE 3201", "city": "NEW YORK", "state": "NY", "zip": "10152"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "ALLEGHANY FINANCIAL CORP", "date-changed": "19870115"}}
Form S-8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2010
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ALLEGHANY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
51-0283071
(State of Incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
7 Times Square Tower
New York, New York
10036
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Alleghany Corporation 2010 Directors' Stock Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Christopher K. Dalrymple
Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
Alleghany Corporation
7 Times Square Tower
New York, New York 10036
(212) 752-1356
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated
filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Proposed
Maximum
Maximum
Amount to Be
Offering Price
Aggregate
Amount of
Title of Securities to Be Registered
Registered
(1)
Per Share
(2)
Offering Price
(2)
Registration Fee
Common Stock, par
value $1.00 per
share
60,000 shares
$
303.92
$
18,235,200
$
1,300.17
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement also covers any additional shares of Common Stock which become issuable pursuant to
the provisions of the plan listed above by reason of antidilution and other adjustments.
(2)
Pursuant to Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, solely for the purpose of
calculating the registration fee, these amounts were estimated on the basis of the average of
the high and low sales prices of the Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
on April 21, 2010.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The document(s) containing the information specified by Part I of this Registration Statement
on Form S-8 (this "Registration Statement") will be sent or given to participants in the Alleghany
Corporation 2010 Directors' Stock Plan (the "Plan") as specified in Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"). Such document(s) are not being filed with the Commission either as
part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule
424 but taken together, along with the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II hereof, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements
of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed with the Commission by Alleghany Corporation (the "Company") are
incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof:
(a)
The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2009; and
(b)
The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 10 filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), which incorporates by reference
certain portions of the Company's Proxy Statement dated November 26, 1986 relating to
its Special Meeting of Stockholders held on December 19, 1986; such description is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the (i) the Company's Restated Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended, and (ii) the Company's By-Laws, as amended, incorporated
by reference as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, in this Registration Statement,
and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating that description.
All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that
all securities offered hereunder have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
unsold hereunder, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof
from the date of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to
the extent that a statement contained herein (or in any other subsequently filed document that also
is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein) modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Registration Statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Company is a Delaware corporation. Reference is made to Section 145 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") as to indemnification by the Company of its officers and
directors. The general effect of such law is to empower a corporation to indemnify any of its
officers and directors against certain expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person to be indemnified in
connection with certain actions, suits or proceedings (threatened, pending or completed) if the
person to be indemnified acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be
in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
Article Tenth of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (which
Restated Certificate of Incorporation is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 3.1 in this
Registration Statement), provides for the indemnification of the Company's officers and directors
in accordance with the DGCL, and includes, as permitted by the DGCL, certain limitations on the
potential personal liability of members of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") for
monetary damages as a result of actions taken in their capacity as members of the Board.
The directors and officers of the Company are covered by insurance policies indemnifying them
against certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act, which might be incurred by them in
such capacities.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
The following are filed as exhibits hereto.
Exhibit Number
Description
3.1
The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
by Amendment accepted and received for filing by the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware on June 23, 1988, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's
Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-134996) filed on June 14, 2006, is
incorporated herein by reference.
3.2
The Company's By-Laws, as amended December 19, 2006, filed as
Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 22,
2006, are incorporated herein by reference.
4.1
Alleghany Corporation 2010 Directors' Stock Plan effective as of
April 23, 2010, included as Exhibit A to the Company's Proxy Statement dated
March 17, 2010 filed in connection with its Annual Meeting of Stockholders held
on April 23, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
5
Opinion of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP.
23.1
Consent of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP (included in Exhibit 5 hereto).
23.2
Consent of KPMG LLP.
24
Powers of Attorney.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this
Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration
Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered
(if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and
any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in
the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in this effective
Registration Statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in
this Registration Statement;
provided
,
however
, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do
not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
indemnification provisions summarized in Item 6 above or otherwise, the registrant has been advised
that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on April 20, 2010.
ALLEGHANY CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Weston M. Hicks
Weston M. Hicks
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Date: April 20, 2010
By:
*
Rex D. Adams
Director
Date:       April 20, 2010
By:
/s/ Jerry G. Borelli
Jerry G. Borelli
Vice President
(principal accounting officer)
Date:         April 20, 2010
By:
*
Karen Brenner
Director
Date:        April 20, 2010
By:
*
John J. Burns, Jr.
Chairman of the Board and Director
Date:                  April 20, 2010
By:
*
Dan R. Carmichael
Director
Date: April 20, 2010
By:
/s/ Roger B. Gorham
Roger B. Gorham
Senior Vice President
(principal financial officer)
Date:                April 20, 2010
By:
/s/ Weston M. Hicks
Weston M. Hicks
President and Director
(principal executive officer)
Date:                April 20, 2010
By:
*
Thomas S. Johnson
Director
Date:          April 20, 2010
By:
*
Jefferson W. Kirby
Director
Date:          April 20, 2010
By:
*
William K. Lavin
Director
Date:         April 20, 2010
By:
*
Phillip M. Martineau
Director
Date:           April 20, 2010
By:
*
James F. Will
Director
Date:        April 20, 2010
By:
*
Raymond L.M. Wong
Director
*By:
/s/ Weston M. Hicks
Weston M. Hicks
Attorney-in-Fact
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number
Description
3.1
The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
by Amendment accepted and received for filing by the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware on June 23, 1988, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-134996) filed on June 14, 2006, is
incorporated herein by reference.
3.2
The Company's By-Laws, as amended December 19, 2006, filed as
Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 22,
2006, are incorporated herein by reference.
4.1
Alleghany Corporation 2010 Directors' Stock Plan effective as of
April 23, 2010, included as Exhibit A to the Company's Proxy Statement dated
March 17, 2010 filed in connection with its Annual Meeting of Stockholders held
on April 23, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
5
Opinion of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP.
23.1
Consent of Dewey & LeBoeuf (included in Exhibit 5 hereto).
23.2
Consent of KPMG LLP.
24
Powers of Attorney.