Alexander Hamilton Biography

Dromo's Den

HAMILTON, Alexander, American statesman, born in Nevis, an island of the West Indies, Jan. 11, 1757; died July 12, 1804. He was of Scotch-French descent, and when twelve years old secured employment at St. Croix in the store of a merchant. Soon after his marked natural abilities attracted the attention of his friends, who raised a fund and sent him to school at Elizabeth, New Jersey, and when sixteen years of age he entered Columbia College, New York, as a student. While at college he wrote a number of articles in behalf of the American colonies, which were so ably composed that they were attributed to John Jay. In 1774 he delivered a public address in behalf of the patriots that showed remarkable ability for a boy of seventeen, and later published a number of circulars relative to the American cause. He became captain of artillery at the beginning of the Revolution; was appointed a member of Washington's staff in 1777, and rendered valuable aid as a friend and adviser. In December, 1780 he married Elizabeth Schuyler, daughter of General Schuyler, and in 1781 resigned his membership on the staff. After the war closed he studied law. Served in the continental congress in 1782-83, and rose to eminence at the New York bar.

In 1787, Hamilton served as a leader at the constitutional convention in Philadelphia, where he advocated a strong central government, but accepted the constitution agreed upon, and by voice and pen supported that document, defining its scope and power before the people. His papers on the constitution were published under the title of "The Federalist," and of the eighty-five issues that appeared fifty-one were from his pen. The convention which met in New York in 1788 to consider the constitution was at first opposed to ratification by a two-thirds majority, but this was reduced to a minority by his able advocacy. Washington selected him as secretary of the treasury in 1789, in which position. he displayed rare ability in raising the public credit and placing the nation on a stable financial basis. In the cabinet he was confronted by Jefferson, who differed from him in the construction placed on the constitution, which led Hamilton to resign his office in 1795, but he became an active and influential leader of the federal party. He wrote the famous "Camillus" letters in defense of the Jay Treaty, advised Washington in preparing the address of farewell, and was personally opposed to President Adams. Political differences with Aaron Burr brought on a duel with the latter at Weehawken, New Jersey, July 11, 1804, and he died the following day from the effect of the wound he received. Hamilton ranks in history among the most brilliant statesmen of America, being remarkable alike for his extraordinary genius and ability to organize.

The Teachers' and Pupils' Cyclopædia, Vol. II. (Kansas City: Bufton Book Co., 1909) 790.