Alexander Hamilton

Table of Contents

Quotes References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images & Videos

Explore Thomas Jefferson's feuds with Federalists such as Alexander Hamilton and John Adams

For Students

Alexander Hamilton summary

Read Next

Duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, illustration after a painting by J. Mund.

10 Famous Duels

Painting titled: "Washington as Statesman at the Constitutional Convention" oil on canvas by Junius Brutus Stearns, 1856; in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. (Note from museum) The painting represents George Washington's role as president of the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The normally reserved Washington urges passage of a new federal constitution, a draft of which he holds in his hands.

How Many of the Signers of the U.S. Constitution Were Enslavers?

Alexander Hamilton New York delegate to the Constitutional Convention (1787), major author of the Federalist papers (The Federalist). Print: mezzotint, color 1930-40. Copyright by Frost & Reed, Ltd

10 Things You Need to Know About the Hamilton-Burr Duel, According to Hamilton’s Burr

Detail of a concept image of the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution. We the People

How Many People Signed the U.S. Constitution?

Close up of a hand placing a ballot in a ballot box. Election vote voter voting

Have Any U.S. Presidents Decided Not to Run For a Second Term?

Discover

9 of the World’s Deadliest Spiders

United States Electoral College votes by state

How Many Electoral College Votes Does Each U.S. State Have?

Albert Einstein in Washington, D.C. c. 1921-1923. Physicist

The Solar Eclipse That Made Albert Einstein a Science Celebrity

Solar Eclipse, Eclipse, Solar Flare, Outer Space, Astronomy

What Causes Lunar and Solar Eclipses?

Periodical Cicada, Adult, Magicicada spp. Requires 17 years to complete development. Nymph splits its skin, and transforms into an adult. Feeds on sap of tree roots. Northern Illinois Brood. This brood is the largest emergence of cicadas anywhere

Why Do Some Cicadas Appear Only Every 17 Years?

Queen Elizabeth II addresses at opening of Parliament. (Date unknown on photo, but may be 1958, the first time the opening of Parliament was filmed.)

All 119 References in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained

solar eclipse, sun, moon, astronomy, space

How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses?

History & Society

Alexander Hamilton

Q: What was Alexander Hamilton’s early life like?

Alexander Hamilton was born out of wedlock in Nevis, British West Indies (now in Saint Kitts and Nevis ), in either 1755 or 1757, and his father abandoned the family in 1765. The following year Alexander went to work, becoming a clerk. When his mother died in 1768, Alexander became a ward of her relatives.

Q: What did Alexander Hamilton accomplish?

Alexander Hamilton was a New York delegate to the Constitutional Convention (1787), a major author of the Federalist papers , and the first secretary of the treasury of the United States (1789–95). He argued in favour of a strong central government for the new United States .

Q: Why is Alexander Hamilton famous?

In addition to his accomplishments as a U.S. statesman, Alexander Hamilton is remembered for his untimely death in a duel with Aaron Burr , who was the U.S. vice president at the time. Hamilton received renewed attention in the 21st century with the enormous popularity of the Tony Award -winning musical Hamilton , written by Lin-Manuel Miranda .

United States statesman

Also known as: Camillus

Written by Alexander DeConde

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Mar 11, 2024 • Article History

Alexander Hamilton

See all media

Category: History & Society

Born:: January 11, 1755/57, Nevis, British West Indies

Died:: July 12, 1804, New York, New York, U.S.

Title / Office:: Continental Congress (1788), United States; Continental Congress (1787), United States; Continental Congress (1783), United States; Continental Congress (1782), United States

Political Affiliation:: Federalist Party

Awards And Honors:: Hall of Fame (1915)

See all related content →

What was Alexander Hamilton’s early life like?

What did Alexander Hamilton accomplish?

Why is Alexander Hamilton famous?

Alexander Hamilton (born January 11, 1755/57, Nevis, British West Indies—died July 12, 1804, New York, New York, U.S.) was a New York delegate to the Constitutional Convention (1787), major author of the Federalist papers, and first secretary of the treasury of the United States (1789–95), who was the foremost champion of a strong central government for the new United States. He was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr. Hamilton’s father was James Hamilton, a drifting trader and son of Alexander Hamilton, the laird of Cambuskeith, Ayrshire, Scotland; his mother was Rachel Fawcett Lavine, the daughter of a French Huguenot ...(100 of 3376 words)

Access the full article

Help support true facts by becoming a member.