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Alexander Hamilton Facts

Alexander Hamilton Facts
Alexander Hamilton was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. He also had a hand in writing the Constitution. Alexander Hamilton was born on January 11th, 1755 (or possibly 1757 as the exact date is unknown), in Nevis, West Indies, to Rachel Fawcett Lavine, a Frenchwoman, and James Hamilton, a Scottish trader. When his father abandoned them Alexander was young, and his mother died in 1768 leaving Alexander as an orphan. Alexander began to work at a young age and had a strong love of reading. His employer Nicolas Cruger sent him to America so that he could be properly educated. In 1773 Alexander enrolled in Columbia University (then King's College), where his interest in politics began.
Interesting Alexander Hamilton Facts:
While at King's College Hamilton and five other undergraduates formed a literary society. While it was unnamed, it was the foundation for the Philolexian Society, one of the oldest literary societies in the U.S.
Alexander Hamilton published work that supported the Revolutionary cause but did not support some of the tactics. In 1775 he saved a Loyalist Myles Cooper, his college president, from a mob. Alexander spoke to the mob just long enough to allow Myles Cooper the time to flee.
Two of the reasons that Alexander Hamilton opposed the Loyalists was because of the British taxes imposed on Americans, and their regulations of commercial businesses.
In 1775 Alexander Hamilton joined the American militia company in New York called the Corsicans. He proved to be a strong leader on the battle field and was promoted to captain.
Alexander Hamilton turned down several positions before being offered the job as Lieutenant Colonel as Washington's aide.
Alexander Hamilton preferred to be on the battle field and eventually resigned his position with Washington. In 1781 he was assigned as commander of a battalion.
Alexander Hamilton led a charge in the Battle of Yorktown that was victorious and helped to lead to major negotiations that would eventually end the Revolutionary War in America.
In 1782 Alexander Hamilton was appointed as a New York representative to the Congress of the Confederation.
In 1798 Alexander Hamilton became second in command in the U.S. Army as inspector general. He did not see battle this time because of the peace agreement between France and America.
Alexander Hamilton studied law in school and following the Revolutionary War he actually defended Loyalists against the rebels who demanded compensation for their homes. He eventually established himself as one of Manhattan's most prestigious lawyers.
Alexander Hamilton went on to become one of the most coveted advisors by U.S. Presidents.
Alexander Hamilton wrote 51 of the 85 essays in The Federalist Papers, which were used to help ratify the Constitution.
Alexander Hamilton was appointed first secretary of the treasury when George Washington became president in 1789. In 1795 when he stepped down the economy of the U.S had been greatly improved which helped the federal government as well.
Alexander Hamilton was wounded in a duel on July 11th, 1804 in Weehawken, New Jersey after a comment he made about Aaron Burr, a politician sparked the challenge. Alexander died the next day in New York City.


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