Profile of the Day: Alexander Hamilton

Today we remember Founding Father of the United States Alexander Hamilton, who was born on January 11, 1755 or 1757. The exact year Hamilton was born in unknown since historical records have shown his year of birth as both 1755 and 1757.

Image: Alexander Hamilton / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Hamilton was born in Charlestown on the island of Nevis, then a part of the British West Indies. Both he and his brother, James Jr., were born out of wedlock to Rachel Faucette and James A. Hamilton. His father abandoned the family when he was 11 and his mother died a few years after in 1768.

In 1773, Hamilton enrolled at King’s College to pursue his education. However, he left school before graduating to join the Patriots’ cause. After joining the Continental Army, Hamilton caught the eye of George Washington and served as Washington’s chief staff aid for four years. Later, Hamilton became a driving force for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and was a major author of the Federalist Papers. He went on to serve as the United States’ first Secretary of the Treasury.

Hamilton died on July 12, 1804 from a gunshot wound he received during a duel with Aaron Burr the day before. At the time, Burr was the sitting Vice President of the United States.

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