Alexander Hamilton

c. 1755 – 12 July 1804

Alexander Hamilton (1755 or 1757 - 1804) was an American statesman, a Founding Father of the United States, and the first Secretary of the Treasury. Born in the British West Indies, he served as an aide to George Washington during the Revolutionary War, co-authored the Federalist Papers, and established the foundations of the American financial system. He died in 1804 from a wound sustained in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Alexander Hamilton.

Life events

Born on the island of Nevis in the British West Indies
c. 1755

He was born out of wedlock in Charlestown, Nevis; his birth year is disputed between 1755 and 1757.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Emigrated from the West Indies to North America
c. 1772

Local patrons impressed by his abilities funded his passage to the mainland colonies to pursue an education.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Enrolled at King's College (now Columbia University) in New York City
c. 1773

He studied at King's College, where he began writing influential pamphlets supporting the revolutionary cause.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed aide-de-camp to General George Washington
March 1777

He joined Washington's staff with the rank of lieutenant colonel and became one of his most trusted aides.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Elizabeth Schuyler
14 December 1780

He married Elizabeth Schuyler, daughter of General Philip Schuyler, at the Schuyler Mansion in Albany, New York.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Led a successful assault at the Siege of Yorktown
14 October 1781

He commanded a light infantry battalion in the night assault on Redoubt No. 10, contributing to the decisive American victory.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Co-authored the Federalist Papers
October 1787 – May 1788

He wrote the majority of the 85 essays defending the proposed United States Constitution, alongside James Madison and John Jay.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed first United States Secretary of the Treasury
11 September 1789 – 31 January 1795

As Treasury Secretary under President Washington, he established the national bank, federal assumption of state debts, and the foundations of American public credit.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Mortally wounded in a duel with Aaron Burr at Weehawken, New Jersey
11 July 1804

Vice President Aaron Burr shot him in a duel arising from long-standing political and personal enmity.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in New York City from his duel wound
12 July 1804

He died the day after the duel at a friend's home in Greenwich Village and was buried at Trinity Church.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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