Exhibit 32.1


                              ALLEGHANY CORPORATION

                                  CERTIFICATION

In connection with the periodic report of Alleghany Corporation (the "Company")
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, Weston M. Hicks, President and chief
executive officer of the Company, hereby certify as of the date hereof, solely
for purposes of Title 18, Chapter 63, Section 1350 of the United States Code,
that:

     (1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

     (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
     material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
     Company at the dates and for the periods indicated.

This Certification, which accompanies the Report, has not been, and shall not be
deemed, "filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Date: May 6, 2005                   By:   /s/ Weston M. Hicks
                                          -------------------
                                          Weston M. Hicks
                                          President and chief executive officer