Topic > Alexander Hamilton: Important Men in American History

IndexBiographyWife, ChildrenDeathEven in death, he continues to rack up hits to his name as his name is the title of one of the most commercially successful musicals in modern theatre. While he was alive, Alexander Hamilton was one of the most important men in American history, the status and prestige he retained, 200 years after his death at the hands of Aaron Burr. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay He was a political scientist, an economist, a lawyer, and a journalist, whose intelligence, creativity, and vision helped create a nation that would go on to lead the rest of the world. There are so many things to explain about the life of a man as accomplished and influential as Alexander Hamilton, but here are a few things to learn about the man whose story is selling out musical theaters around the world. Biography One of the most difficult tasks is to create a sort of blank slate. Having the vision to shape a canvas into something magnificent and this was the task given to Hamilton. Born in 1700 (11 January 1975 or 1977) to James Hamilton and Rachel Fawcett Lavien, a Scottish merchant and outlaw mother. Alexander Hamilton was born out of wedlock after his mother fled her marriage to St. Kitts. Alexander himself was born in Charlestown, in the British Leeward Islands. Even by the living standards of the 1700s, life was difficult for Hamilton, whose mother was forced to raise him and his older brother, James Sr., alone, after his father became estranged from the family. family. He later lost his last parent and became an orphan when his mother died of yellow fever. At the age of 11, Hamilton was forced to take care of himself, taking a job. He worked his way up to become an accounting clerk, and his employer was impressed with his diligence and intelligence. During his time as an accounting clerk, Hamilton, who would later found the U.S. Treasury, was exposed to international trade and other economic principles. When he moved to America at the age of 16 in 1773, he came to New York to study at King's College which is now known as Columbia University. After arriving in New York and becoming a student, Hamilton was drawn to politics and eventually dropped out of school to join the Patriots who fought against British imperialism. Within two years of arriving in America, Hamilton joined the militia that fought what would become American independence. He joined the New York Provincial Artillery Company. His exploits in the Army earned him a promotion to lieutenant colonel and he was appointed assistant to General George Washington. While working as Washington's assistant, he fought in the Battle of Yorktown. The victory at Yorktown would later trigger the end of the American Revolutionary War which gave birth to the Treaty of Paris and the Peace of Paris. After his military career ended in 1800, he left his position as Washington's advisor and studied law. Hamilton moved on and established a law practice in New York City. During his time as a private lawyer, Hamilton achieved several important milestones, including the creation of the system of judicial review and the founding of the Bank of New York. Perhaps setting a standard for what would be the most common profession among politicians in America, Hamilton became a prominent political figure through his legal practice, becoming one of the important advisors to U.S. presidents. This level of influence led him to become one of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention and, 1804.