Historical Figure
Alexander Hamilton
1755–1804
American Founding Father (1755–1804)
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Biography
Alexander Hamilton was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first U.S. secretary of the treasury from 1789 to 1795 under the presidency of George Washington. He also founded America's first political party, the Federalist Party, in 1791.
In Their Own Words (5)
We are now forming a republican government. Real liberty is neither found in despotism or the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments. Those who mean to form a solid republican government, ought to proceed to the confinges of another government. As long as offices are open to all men, and no constitutional rank is established, it is pure republicanism. But if we incline too much to democracy, we shall soon shoot into a monarchy.
26 June 1787 per page 105 of "The Debates, Resolutions, and Other Proceedings, in Convention, on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution: Supplementary to the state Conventions" by Johnathan Elliot, published 1830 , 1787
The rights of neutrality will only be respected, when they are defended by an adequate power. A nation, despicable by its weakness, forfeits even the privilege of being neutral.
No. 11 , 1787
Unless your government is respectable, foreigners will invade your rights; and to maintain tranquillity you must be respectable; even to observe neutrality you must have a strong government.
Elliot's Debates, volume 1, p. 463. (29 July 1788) , 1788
Here, sir, the people govern; here they act by their immediate representatives.
Elliot's Debates, volume 2, p. 348. (Remarks on the U.S. House of Representatives, at the New York state convention on the adoption of the Federal Constitution, Poughkeepsie, New York July 27, 1788) , 1788
Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.
No. 15 , 1787
Timeline
The story of Alexander Hamilton, told in moments.
The orphan immigrant who built America's financial system. His face is on the $10 bill. In 2015, Lin-Manuel Miranda turns his life into a hip-hop musical that grosses over $600 million on Broadway.
Born out of wedlock on the island of Nevis in the British West Indies. His father abandons the family. His mother dies when he is 13. Orphaned, broke, and Caribbean. He writes his way out.
Commands an artillery company in New York at 21. His bravery at the Battle of Trenton catches George Washington's eye. Washington makes him aide-de-camp, a role Hamilton holds for four years.
Leads a bayonet charge at the Siege of Yorktown, capturing a British redoubt in ten minutes. The victory seals American independence.
Becomes the first Secretary of the Treasury at 34. Over the next six years he designs the national bank, the tax system, the customs service, and the coast guard. He writes 51 of the 85 Federalist Papers.
Begins an affair with Maria Reynolds, then pays her husband hush money. When political enemies accuse him of financial corruption, Hamilton publishes the entire affair himself to prove the payments were personal, not from the Treasury. It works. His marriage barely survives.
Shot by Vice President Aaron Burr in a duel at Weehawken, New Jersey. The bullet lodges in his spine. He dies the next afternoon at 49, surrounded by his wife Eliza and their seven children.
Artifacts (15)
The Monument to Alexander Hamilton at Weehawken
Pavel Petrovich Svinin
Jeff Davis on His Own Platform, or the Last "Act of Secession"
Alexander Hamilton Stephens|Jefferson Davis|Robert Toombs|General P. G. T. Beauregard|Francis Wilkinson Pickens|Currier & Ives
Alexander Hamilton
James Sharples|Ellen Wallace Sharples
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