Home › H › Hamilton, Alexander

Hamilton, Alexander

lawyer, statesman, was born Jan. 11, 1757, in the West Indies. He entered the army as an officer of artillery and became an aidde-campto Washington, with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

He was delegate to the continental congress in 1782 and 1783, and in 1787 and 1788; in 1786 was elected to the state assembly; was elected to the convention a which framed the federal constitution; by his writings, signed Publius, did much to secure its adoption, but was the only member from New York who signed that instrument. In 1789 he was appointed secretary of the treasury, and continued in that office until 1795, when he resigned. In 1804 he had a difficulty with Aaron Burr, which resulted in a duel, which took place at Hoboken, when he received a fatal shot, and died on the following day, July 12,