Exhibit 23




                         Consent of Independent Auditors







The Board of Directors
Gryphon Holdings Inc.

We consent to the inclusion of our report dated February 24, 1998,  with respect
to the consolidated balance sheets of Gryphon Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries as
of  December  31,  1997 and 1996,  and the related  consolidated  statements  of
income,  stockholders'  equity,  and cash  flows  for  each of the  years in the
three-year  period ended December 31, 1997, which report appears in the Form 8-K
of Markel Corporation dated January 29, 1999.




                                    KPMG LLP
New York, New York
January 29, 1999