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Alexander Hamilton Biography
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Biography: Life of Alexander Hamilton
Born 1755, Died 1804
While the date of Alexander Hamilton’s birth is uncertain, current records indicate that he was probably born in 1755. Born on the island of Nevis in the British West Indies, when Alexander Hamilton was about fifteen he was sent to school in New York City. Hamilton attended King’s College (Columbia University).
Siding with those who wanted freedom from the British, Alexander Hamilton enlisted in a New York artillery company. George Washington met and was impressed by the young Hamilton. From 1777 to 1781 Alexander Hamilton served on Washington’s staff.
Alexander Hamilton believed in a strong central government and worked for a new constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation. While Hamilton personally believed in a limited monarchy or a republic with the members elected for life, he used his influence to support the new Constitution. To gain support for the Constitution, Alexander Hamilton, with the help of James Madison and John Jay, wrote a series of articles in its defense. The essays which were signed “The Federalist” are commonly known as The Federalist Papers. As a representative from New York, Hamilton signed the Constitution.
Alexander Hamilton was appointed the first Secretary of the Treasury by George Washington. In this position he worked to pay the debts of the United States, thereby restoring its credit. He also established a national bank.
Believing in a strong federal government, Alexander Hamilton was opposed in his views by Thomas Jefferson, who believed in states’ rights. The two became the leaders of the first political parties, the Federalists and the Democratic Republicans.
In 1800 when Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr ran against John Adams for president they both received the same number of electoral votes. Congress had to decide who would be president. Alexander Hamilton did not trust Aaron Burr and, putting his political feud with Jefferson aside, swung the Federalists in Jefferson’s favor.
While still vice president, Aaron Burr ran for governor of New York but was defeated. Believing that Alexander Hamilton was responsible for his defeat, Aaron Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel. On July 11, 1804 at Weehawken, New Jersey the first shot fired by Burr mortally wounded Alexander Hamilton. Alexander Hamilton died the next day, July 12, 1804, from his wound.
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