Alexander Hamilton: The Founding Father Of America

Imagine a man that had accomplished so many things at a young age when he was left to partially fend for himself as a child and traveled to New York City. A man that had an impenetrable determination to change the world and is known as the unsung hero of America. Alexander Hamilton was one of the founding fathers of America and had the determination to shape the economy without a doubt. This paper will cover Hamilton’s early life, military life, law and political career, and later life, including the events that led to his death.

Alexander Hamilton was born on January 11, 1757, on the island of Nevis in the British West Indies. His parents were Rachel Fawcett and James Hamilton and had a brother named James who was also born in 1753.

There, he learned lessons like the need of a central government and how to deal with a crisis. On March 14, 1776, Alexander was promoted to the Captain of the Provincial Company of Artillery to protect Manhattan Island. He participated in the battles of Long Island, Trenton-Princeton and the White Plains. Hamilton was later promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1777. Alexander was later recognized by George Washington and was made Washington’s personal assistant and advisor. He then spent five years writing Washington’s letters, reports on reforms of Congress, and reconstructing the army. Hamilton was one of the key members of the close-knit team that Washington assembled and participated in the army from 1777 to Monmouth. Alexander was also included in the campaign of Virtual Stalemate. He also spent the winter of 1777-1778 with Washington and the Continental army at Valley Forge. On December 14, 1780, Alexander Hamilton married Elizabeth Schuyler, daughter of Philip Schuyler, major general during the American Revolution. In 1781, Alexander convinced Washington to let him lead a battalion against the British in the Battle of Yorktown and led to parting ways between Hamilton and Washington on February 16, 1781. Hamilton left advisor in 1782 persuaded to forming a stronger central government. Alexander did return as a colonel, September 30, 1783, however, left again at the end of the year. This

Hamilton was a father of eight children. After his oldest son, Philip Hamilton, graduated King’s College, he was killed in a duel against George Eacker on November 24, 1801. Before his son died, Hamilton also participated in an affair with Maria Reynolds, wife of James Reynolds, and admitted to it in the newspaper. There was no public response ever recorded from Elizabeth. This was one of the earliest affairs ever recorded in the country’s history. In the 1800 presidential election, Thomas Jefferson tied with Aaron Burr. Hamilton broke the tie and campaigned for Jefferson eventually electing him as the president and Burr as the vice president. During Jefferson’s first term, he excluded Burr from party meetings and removed Burr as he ran for his second term. Burr later read a quote from Hamilton calling him, "the most unfit and dangerous man of the community." Burr was furious and blamed his loss on Hamilton, demanding an explanation. The two exchanged letters until Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel. At dawn on July 11, 1804, in Weehawken, New Jersey the duel commenced. Hamilton raised his pistol to the sky and Burr’s bullet hit him in the ribs. Hamilton then died July 12, 1804.

In conclusion, Alexander Hamilton was a young man introduced to the world and made history as a “bastard brat of a Scottish peddler” - John Adams. Hamilton was a military