Hamilton, Alexander |
| POLITICIAN, LAWYER (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA) |
|
BORN 11 Jan 1757, Nevis, West-Indies - DIED 12 Jul 1804, New York City, New York CAUSE OF DEATH fatally injured by duel with pistols GRAVE LOCATION New York City, New York: Trinity Churchyard, 75 Broadway, Manhattan |
|
Alexander Hamilton worked as secretary to George Washington during the American War of Independence. In 1784 he founded the Bank of New York. In 1787 he constructed a draft for the Constitution during the Constitutional Convention. From 1789 until 1795 he was Secretary of the Treasury. He introduced taxes on whiskey, resulting in the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. In 1791 he had an affair with Maria Reynolds. Her husband blackmailed him, threatening to tell his wife Elizabeth. After an attempt to accuse Hamilton of abuse of his government position he denied this and admitted to the affair with Maria Reynolds. He challanged Jamers Monroe to a duel, but Aaron Burr convinced him that Monroe had no part in damaging his reputation. In 1800 he tried to run for president for the Republicans and his campaign damaged the chances of John Adams for reelection and Adams subsequently lost to Jefferson. In 1804 he fought a duel with vice president Aaron Burr after an argument concerning state affairs. It was fought at the bank of Hudson River in Weehawken, New Jersey, where Hamilton's eldest son had been killed in a duel three years before. Hamilton was shot by Burr and died the following day. Family • Wife: Hamilton Schuyler, Elizabeth (1780-1804, Albany, New York: Schuyler Mansion) |
| Images | |
 The grave of Alexander Hamilton at Trinity Cemetery, Manhattan, New York City. Picture by Androom (13 Apr 2008) |
 The grave of Alexander Hamilton at Trinity Churchyard, New York City. Picture by Androom (21 Apr 2010) |
Sources • Chernow, Ron, Alexander Hamilton, The Penguin Press, New York, 2004 • De Complete Encyclopedie, Lekturama • Winkler Prins Encyclopedie (editie 1909), 1909 • Alexander Hamilton - Wikipedia (EN) |
