Alexander Hamilton was born 1757 on the island of Nevis in the British West Indies. His family moved to the island of St. Croix in 1765 and a year later his father left Alexander and his mother. At the age of nine Hamilton went to work as a clerk in Christiansted, the main city on the island. The merchant Hamilton clerked for, Nicholas Cruger, would be a great help to him. At the age of fifteen and with the aid of Cruger Hamilton was sent to go to school in New York. After catching up on his academics Hamilton spoke with Dr. John Witherspoon, the President of Princeton. Hamilton said that "he wished to enter... with the understanding that he should be permitted to advance from class to class with as much rapidity as his exertions would enable him to do." This proposal embodied Hamilton's character. He was eager to learn and would no

ht they were, not because he had a good pedigree. Hamilton was also dedicated to being a good father. After having his father walk out on him never to return, he dedicated himself to behaving differently. All of these qualities made Hamilton a very respectable man and an important figure in the founding of the United States.

reed. In 1774 he had the chance to write his first piece of journalism. His two articles, "A full vindication of the measures of congress," and "the farmer refuted," were in response to another article written attacking the embargo on trade with Britain that had been proposed by the first Continental Congress. This would be the first of countless articles written expressing his opinions on politics and the state of affairs in this new government.

report he outlined how manufacturing would help encourage and sustain the American economy. Hamilton's last collaboration with George Washington was the drafting of his farewell address. After his term as Secretary of Treasury Hamilton held no further public offices. He continued practicing law and was still active in politics. This activity saw Hamilton coming into more and more conflicts with Aaron Burr. Eventually rumors of slander and other misconduct caused Burr to challenge Hamilton to a duel. Not an advocate of such things Hamilton begrudgingly accepted. On the morning of July 11th in Weehawken, New Jersey the event took place. Hamilton missed and was struck in the stomach by Burr's shot. He lingered on for over thirty hours and on the morning of the twelfth died.

ed on the side of the loyalist. Hamilton argued the legality of the Trespass Act and said that if the court found that the Trespass Act violated either the common law or the Treaty, which had been, signed with Great Britain that it should strike it down. Even before there was a National Supreme Court Hamilton was already arguing for judicial review.

When the Revolutionary war began Hamilton joined an artillery company and served as a captain. He was then appointed to George Washington's staff and promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Holding any position on Washington's staff was an extremely taxing job. Many others were not able to handle the pressure and quit. One such officer, Aaron Burr quit after only ten days, Hamilton served under Washington for four years. Hamilton's position in life as an immigrant from outside of the continent and aide to General Washington allowed him a unique perspective on the problems facing this new country. Hamilton believed the main problem stemmed from money. He studied books on economics and was constantly jotting down notes. These notes would later be the basis for the financial workings of an entire country. In December of 1780 Alexander Hamilton married Elizabeth Schuyler. Their son Phillip was born in January of 1782 and was only the first of eight children, six boy!

s and two girls. This marriage to Elizabeth gave Hamilton a connection with the Schuylers, who were an upper class family in New York which held great influence. After the war New York chose Hamilton as a d

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