Alexander Hamilton
1757–1804 · American (Nevis, British West Indies / New York) · American Revolution, Early Republic
Known for: Founding Father who created the US financial system—shot dead in a duel with Aaron Burr at age 47
Hamilton was a Caribbean orphan who became Washington's chief aide, the first Secretary of the Treasury, and the architect of America's financial system. He created the national bank, the tax system, the Coast Guard, and the Federalist Papers (he wrote 51 of 85). He was the most influential Founding Father after Washington.
He was killed in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr in 1804—one of the most famous duels in history. His son Philip had been killed in a duel at the same location three years earlier. Lin-Manuel Miranda turned his life into the biggest Broadway hit in history.
Browse all 1,000 figures by category
Enable JavaScript to view the full "if they lived today" Q&A and personality profile.