Even in his death, Alexander Hamilton continued to achieve success, as he called it, is the title of one of the most commercially successful musicals in modern theater. During his lifetime he was one of the most important men in US history. His achievements and accounts are still spoken about in various places to this day. However, he fell to his death in a duel with Aaron Burr.
He was a political scientist, an economist, a lawyer, and a journalist whose intelligence, creativity, and vision helped create a nation that would lead the rest of the world. There are so many things to unpack about the life of a man as successful and influential as Alexander Hamilton, but here are a few things to learn about the man whose history is selling musical theater around the world.
Alexander Hamilton – biography
Born in the 1700s (January 11, 1975 or 1977) to James Hamilton and Rachel Fawcett Lavien, a Scottish trader and an outlaw mother, Alexander Hamilton was born illegitimate after his mother fled their marriage to St. Kitts. Alexander himself was born in Charlestown, British Leeward Islands.
Even by the standard of living in the 18th century, Hamilton, whose mother was forced to raise him and his older brother, James Sr., alone after his estranged father abandoned the family, had a tough time. He later lost his last parent and was orphaned when his mother died of yellow fever.
At the age of 11, Hamilton was forced to take care of himself, take a job. He worked his way up to the rank of accountant, where his employer was impressed by his diligence and intelligence. During his time as an accountant, Hamilton, who later founded the US Treasury, was exposed to international trade and other economic principles.
While serving as Washington’s assistant, the Battle of Yorktown was fought. The victory at Yorktown later triggered the end of the American Revolutionary War, which produced the Treaty of Paris and the Peace of Paris. After his military career ended in 1800, he gave up his position as a consultant in Washington and went on to study law. Hamilton died and established a law practice in New York City.
During his tenure as a private attorney, Hamilton achieved several landmark accomplishments, including creating the legal review system and founding the Bank of New York. Perhaps setting the standard for what was most common among politicians in America, Hamilton rose through his legal practice to become a prominent political figure, becoming one of the key advisers to US Presidents.
This level of influence led to his becoming one of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention and a major contributor to the Federalist papers. His work as a delegate helped build the US Constitution and a stronger federal government. He was appointed the first Secretary of the Treasury in 1789, and his policy decisions helped create a US economy that would dominate the world for decades.
wife and children
Alexander met Elizabeth Schuyler in 1779 and was married to her in 1780. Elizabeth was the daughter of a wealthy family in New York. The couple gave birth to eight children – Angelica, Philip, Alexander Jr., John Church, James Alexander, William Stephen, Eliza and Philip (Little Philip).
Alexander Hamilton’s affair
Like many of his works throughout his life,Hamilton had one of the first sex scandals in US political history. Turns out he was having an affair with Maria Reynolds, who was married at the time. Despite the scandal being the only affair confirmed to have been committed by Hamilton, his wife stood strongly behind him and helped him preserve his legacy, although rumors of others abounded.
Death: How did he die?
Alexander Hamilton’s impressive life was shot dead after a duel in Aaron Burr. The duel came after Burr accused Hamilton of ruining his chance for the presidency after the latter published an article calling the former unfit for the presidency. He then challenged Hamilton to a duel. Hamilton died from a gunshot wound that hit him in a duel. The duel began on the morning of July 11, 1804, and Hamilton died the next day – July 12, 1804.
Height
Alexander was a brave man who fought and won battles. At 1.7 meters tall, he rode into battle and captured the British Army while living to build a legacy that would last for hundreds of years.