Profile of the Day: Alexander Hamilton

Founding Father Alexander Hamilton was born on January 11, 1755 or 1757 (the exact day is unknown).

Image: Alexander Hamilton / Wikimedia Commons

Born on the island of Nevis, British West Indies, Hamilton and his older brother James were born out of wedlock to James A. Hamilton and Rachel Faucette, who was still married to another man. While he was still a child, his father left the family, leaving them impoverished. Then in 1768, Hamilton’s mother became ill and died at the age of 38. At the age of 11, Hamilton began working as a clerk for a local import-export firm. Impressed with his acumen for accounting, his boss and other businessmen pooled their funds together to send a 16 year-old Hamilton to America to pursue an education.

As the American Revolution began, Hamilton joined the Continental Army and quickly caught the attention of George Washington, who made Hamilton his aide and a trusted advisor. Hamilton became a driving force for the ratification of the Constitution and authored the Federalist Papers defending the Constitution before its approval. After the war, he became the nation’s first Treasury secretary and saved the country from financial ruin.

He died on July 11, 1804 after being wounded in a duel with Aaron Burr.

Explore Alexander Hamilton’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re related to one of America’s Founding Fathers.

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