Alexander Hamilton: Birth and Death Summary
Alexander Hamilton, a principal author of the Federalist Papers and the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, was born circa January 1754 or 1755 on the Caribbean island of Nevis, and died on July 12, 1804, in New York City following a duel with Aaron Burr. His birth year is commonly recorded as 1754 or 1755, with early documentation inconsistent; he emphasized his obscure origins in adulthood. Hamilton died at age 49 or 50 after the duel on July 11, 1804, and was buried in Trinity Church Cemetery in Manhattan. These dates anchor a life that shaped U.S. financial policy, constitutional interpretation, and the early republic’s political framework.
Key Birth and Death Details
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated Birth Year | 1754 or 1755 | Historical inference and baptismal records |
| Birth Location | Nevis, British Leeward Islands | Church and colonial records |
| Death Date | July 12, 1804 | Newspaper and medical accounts |
| Death Location | New York City, New York, USA | Hospital and burial records |
| Age at Death | 49 or 50 | Calculated from birth estimate |
Biographical Context and Career Highlights
Born out of wedlock in the Caribbean, Hamilton migrated to the American colonies for education and rapidly emerged as a military aide to General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. He became a leading voice for a stronger central government, contributing extensively to the Federalist Papers and serving as Treasury Secretary from 1789 to 1795. His policy achievements include establishing a national bank, funding state debts, and creating a revenue system for the new United States. Hamilton’s writings and decisions continue to influence constitutional law and federal economic policy.
Hamilton’s Death: The Duel with Aaron Burr
Hamilton’s death resulted from a duel with former ally Aaron Burr on July 11, 1804, in Weehawken, New Jersey. Accounts describe Hamilton firing into the air to indicate moral opposition to dueling, while Burr’s shot proved fatal. He died the following day in New York City. The duel drew national attention and underscored the intense political rivalries of the era. In the aftermath, Hamilton’s reputation for integrity and fiscal acumen remained influential, and his ideas persisted in government practice.
Legacy and Historical Assessment
Scholars regard Hamilton as a key architect of the U.S. financial system and a profound thinker on constitutional government. His advocacy for a robust executive, judicial independence, and a stable monetary framework helped shape the early republic. Monuments, institutions, and places named for him reflect enduring public interest. Although his career included sharp conflicts with peers, his policy impact and writings continue to inform debates on federal power and economic structure.
Primary Source Types and Reliability
Reliable accounts of Hamilton’s birth and death derive from baptismal registers, colonial documents, newspaper reports, and official correspondence. Biographers triangulate these materials to arrive at the most plausible dates and locations. Contemporary records are sometimes ambiguous about exact birth dates, leading to the range of 1754–1755, but the July 12, 1804 death date is well attested. Understanding these source types helps users assess confidence in the biographical timeline.
Comparison With Contemporaries
Compared with other Founding Fathers, Hamilton’s tenure in office was relatively brief but intensely consequential. Where figures like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison debated states’ rights and agrarian society, Hamilton emphasized strong federal institutions and a dynamic financial system. His death at age under fifty cut short a prolific public career, but his frameworks endured well beyond his lifetime. The table below contrasts key life markers with two peers for context.
| Figure | Birth | Death | Age at Death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Hamilton | 1754 or 1755 | July 12, 1804 | 49 or 50 |
| Thomas Jefferson | April 13, 1743 | July 4, 1826 | 83 |
| John Adams | October 30, 1035 | July 4, 1826 | 90 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Hamilton’s birth year uncertain? Early Caribbean records were incomplete, and Hamilton himself provided vague details, leading historians to estimate between 1754 and 1755.
- Where is Hamilton buried? He is buried in Trinity Church Cemetery in Manhattan, New York City.
- What circumstances led to Hamilton’s death? He died from wounds sustained in a duel with Aaron Burr, driven by long-standing political and personal tensions.
- How old was Hamilton at the time of his death? He was 49 or 50 years old, depending on the exact birth year.
- What verification exists for Hamilton’s death date? Multiple newspaper accounts, medical reports, and burial records confirm July 12, 1804, as his date of death.
Reliable Biographical Resources
For further reading, consult National Archives documents, reputable biographies, and digitized colonial records that triangulate birth and death details. Academic institutions and historical societies often provide annotated timelines that distinguish verified data from inference. Favor sources that cite primary materials and clarify uncertainty where it exists.