Few figures in early American history left as deep and controversial a mark as Alexander Hamilton. A brilliant thinker, soldier, and political strategist, Hamilton shaped the United States’ financial system and helped craft the Constitution — but his career ended in scandal, bitter rivalry, and a fatal duel.
Early Life and Revolutionary Career
Alexander Hamilton was born in either 1755 or 1757 on the Caribbean island of Nevis. Orphaned at a young age, he displayed remarkable intelligence and ambition. With the support of patrons, he travelled to New York for his education, enrolling at King’s College (now Columbia University).
During the American Revolution, Hamilton joined the Patriot cause and quickly rose to prominence. He became an aide-de-camp to George Washington, not just as a secretary, but as the man Washington relied on to draft key communications, manage staff, and organise strategy. Washington eventually entrusted Hamilton with command in the field, where he distinguished himself in the Battle of Yorktown (1781) by leading a decisive assault.
This close relationship with Washington gave Hamilton lifelong influence in shaping the executive branch, especially the presidency.
The Constitution and The Federalist Papers
After independence, Alexander Hamilton emerged as one of the strongest advocates for replacing the weak Articles of Confederation. He feared that a loose confederation of states would collapse into chaos and leave America vulnerable.
To rally support for the new Constitution, Hamilton co-authored The Federalist Papers with James Madison and John Jay. Writing the majority of the essays, Hamilton argued passionately for:
- A strong central government.
- A powerful executive branch.
- An independent judiciary.
- A system that balanced liberty with stability.
His essays remain foundational to American constitutional interpretation and are still cited in Supreme Court decisions today.
First Treasury Secretary
When George Washington became the first president, he appointed Hamilton as the nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury in 1789.
Hamilton’s economic program laid the foundations of American capitalism:
- Establishing the Bank of the United States.
- Assuming state debts to build national credit.
- Creating tariffs and excise taxes to generate federal revenue.
- Promoting commerce and manufacturing.
He also created the Revenue Cutter Service (the forerunner of the U.S. Coast Guard) and supported building a modern navy to protect American trade.
Alexander Hamilton’s vision of an urban, industrial, commerce-driven republic stood in sharp contrast to Thomas Jefferson’s agrarian ideal, which envisioned a nation of farmers, states’ rights, and limited federal power. This clash defined the first great ideological divide in American politics, giving rise to the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
Political Feuds and Scandal
Hamilton’s brilliance was matched by his talent for making enemies. He was combative, uncompromising, and unafraid to attack even his own allies.
- In the Election of 1796, Hamilton’s manoeuvres to elevate Thomas Pinckney undermined John Adams, splitting Federalist ranks.
- During the Election of 1800, Hamilton went so far as to publish a 54-page pamphlet savaging Adams, a fellow Federalist. This public feud helped sink the party’s chances of retaining the presidency.
Hamilton’s personal life also came under scrutiny. In 1797, he admitted to an affair with Maria Reynolds after her husband attempted to blackmail him. The Reynolds Affair became America’s first major political sex scandal, tarnishing his reputation permanently.
The Duel with Aaron Burr
Hamilton’s political influence remained strong even as his reputation weakened. In the Election of 1800, he played a decisive role in the House of Representatives’ contingent vote. Though a Federalist, Hamilton despised Aaron Burr, Jefferson’s running mate, more than Jefferson himself. Famously, he argued: “Jefferson has beliefs; Burr has none.” His words persuaded enough Federalists to swing the deadlocked vote to Jefferson.
Burr never forgave him. After years of escalating personal and political insults — including Hamilton’s efforts to block Burr’s bid for New York governor in 1804 — Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel.
On July 11, 1804, the two men faced off at Weehawken, New Jersey. Hamilton reportedly fired into the air, but Burr’s shot struck him fatally. Hamilton died the next day, at just 47 or 49 years old.
The duel ended both men’s careers. Hamilton’s death robbed the Federalists of their most creative strategist, accelerating the party’s collapse. Burr’s reputation was ruined, and his later career ended in disgrace when he was tried (and acquitted) for treason.
Legacy
Though his life ended in tragedy, Hamilton’s impact endures:
- Architect of America’s financial system, from credit and banking to tariffs and debt assumption.
- Co-author of The Federalist Papers, the definitive defence of the Constitution.
- Founder of the U.S. Coast Guard and a key supporter of a standing navy.
- Architect of the ideological divide that shaped the nation’s first two-party system.
His face adorns the $10 bill, a lasting tribute to his role in building the nation’s economy. In modern times, the hit Broadway musical Hamilton reintroduced him to a global audience, recasting him as a cultural icon as well as a founding statesman.
Hamilton and the Elections Series
Hamilton was never president, but he shaped multiple elections:
- Election of 1796 – his scheming nearly derailed Adams and fractured Federalist unity.
- Election of 1800 – his intervention swung the House to Jefferson, preventing Burr from becoming president.
- Election of 1804 – his fatal duel with Burr removed him from the stage and symbolised the collapse of the Federalists.
Hamilton’s legacy lies not in holding office, but in shaping the system itself — for better and for worse.