George Washington Lay (July 26, 1798 – October 21, 1860) was an American politician and diplomat who served as a U.S. Representative from New York and Charge D'Affaires to Sweden. Born in Catskill, New York, Lay pursued classical studies and graduated in 1817 from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. He studied law with Phineas L. Tracy, attained admission to the bar in 1820, and commenced practice with in Batavia, New York as Tracy's partner. Lay served as Treasurer of Genesee County from 1825 to 1831. He died in Batavia on October 21, 1860. He was interred in Batavia Cemetery.