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Alexander Hamilton: The Penniless Immigrant Founding Father
Unlike the other Founding Fathers, Alex was born to a poor and unmarried couple. His brother James, was born a few years after Alexander. Alexander's father left when he was ten, leaving the two young boys with their mother and a lot of debt. Two years later, both Alex and his mother got sick. Alex survived, but his mother didn't make it. -
Hamilton Arrives in New York
Alexander Hamilton scraped up enough money, with the help of the people in his hometown, to be put on a ship and live in the mainland. He went to King's College for about two years before deciding to fight in the Revolution. In that short time, he was often found to be drawn more towards the political involvement rather than the academic side of King's College. Alex considered himself as a hands-on learner, and left to join forces with the Patriots. With them, he protested against British taxes. -
Hamilton Becomes an Artillery Captain
Alexander Hamilton becomes an artillery captain. He commanded a total of almost 100 men. According to many, his men were well paid, always well fed, their supplies never ran low, and his guns were always properly maintained. Many Generals often praised Hamilton for his leadership skills and use of military tactics. -
Alexander Hamilton Becomes General George Washington's Right Hand Man
Alexander's leadership caught Washington's eye, whom then made a decision to invite Hamilton to his staff. Hamilton worked with him for roughly four years before leaving. He left because of his frustration with his lack of field command and a dispute with the general. But Alexander did come back to lead an army during the Battle of Yorktown. During the Siege of Yorktown, Hamilton led a successful assault of Redoubt 10, which helped contribute to General Lord Charles Cornwallis's surrender. -
Alex and Eliza: New Beginnings
Alexander met Elizabeth in 1778 when he dined with her family and some friends after a negotiation on General Washington's behalf. She then met him again in Morristown, New Jersey in early 1780. Also in Morristown, Eliza met and became quick friends with Martha Washington, someone whom Eliza was inspired by. On April 8, 1780, Hamilton proposed to Elizabeth after asking her parents for their blessing. The wedding was a small affair, with only close friends and family attending. -
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Alexander Hamilton: Lawyer At Work
After the war, Alexander turned back to his studies and practiced law. He worked alongside Aaron Burr, a man whom he considered as his first friend. Because of Burr, he got into the law department without having to do the usual three year appreniceship. He mainly dealt with cases concerning Loyalists and, although he was pro-revolutionary, he strongly fought against mob retaliations against Loyalists. Alex was a lawyer for four years before leaving to become the first Secretary of the Treasury. -
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The Federalist Papers
Along with the 4th U.S. President (James Madison) and the 2nd governor of New York (John Jay), Alexander Hamilton wrote 85 essays in the span of six months promoting the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Originally, it was supposed to be 25 essays with each of them writing the same amount of essays. John got sick after writing five. Madison gave up after writing twenty nine. Hamilton tirelessly wrote fifty one. These papers were a major part of the ratification of the constitution. -
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First Secretary of the U.S. Treasury
In 1789, Alexander Hamilton's career reached its peak for almost six years. Alexander found himself yet again working underneath Washington in politics. During the six years in politics, Hamilton found himself a powerful enemy. Thomas Jefferson, the first Secretary of State, often was found arguing relentlessly with Alex on nearly every topic Congress looked at. Despite all of their arguments, Alexander endorsed Thomas during the election of 1800, instead of endorsing his best friend Aaron Burr. -
Farewell, George Washington
Alexander Hamilton wrote George Washington's famous Farewell Address. George first had James Madison write a draft and then asked Hamilton to redress it. Alex agreed, and wrote three different drafts. There was the Abstract of Points, the Major Draft, and the Draft for Incorporating. Both Alexander and Washington preferred the Major draft, but George wanted it to be shorter. Alexander let Washington edit the parts he wanted to edit so Alex could spend more time with his family. -
The Reynolds Pamphlet
America's first famous affair was between Maria Reynolds and Alexander Hamilton. After seeing a way to gain wealth, Maria's husband agreed that Hamilton could continue to see Maria, but he would have to pay James to keep quiet about it. James was convicted for forgery in 1792, and asked Hamilton for help. Alex refused. Angry, James told his rivals that he had information on the hero that could bring him down. Alex panicked and wrote the pamphlet, hoping to get out of the mess he created. -
The Downfall of Hamilton
When Alexander was 49, he died in a duel against Aaron Burr, ironically in the same spot Philip Hamilton died three years earlier. Hamilton was killed by a flintlock pistol. His wife, Elizabeth Hamilton, outlives him by 50 years. His death inspires her to start his biography, establish an orphanage, raise funds in D.C. for the Washington Monument, and speak out against slavery.
