Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr, Jr. (February 6, 1756, – September 14, 1836) was an American politician, Revolutionary War hero and the third vice president of the United States (1801 – 1805). He was born in Newark, province of New Jersey. Burr fought in the American Revolutionary War, reaching the rank of Colonel. After the war, Burr was a leader of the Democratic-Republican Party and served in the New York State Assembly, as New York State Attorney General, and as a United States Senator before serving as Vice President.
Aaron Burr | |
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3rd Vice President of the United States | |
In office March 4, 1801 – March 4, 1805 | |
President | Thomas Jefferson |
Preceded by | Thomas Jefferson |
Succeeded by | George Clinton |
United States Senator from New York | |
In office March 4, 1791 – March 3, 1797 | |
Preceded by | Philip Schuyler |
Succeeded by | Philip Schuyler |
3rd Attorney General of New York | |
In office September 29, 1789 – November 8, 1791 | |
Governor | George Clinton |
Preceded by | Richard Varick |
Succeeded by | Morgan Lewis |
Personal details | |
Born | Aaron Burr Jr. February 6, 1756 Newark, New Jersey, British America |
Died | September 14, 1836 (aged 80) Staten Island, New York, U.S. |
Resting place | Princeton Cemetery |
Political party | Democratic-Republican |
Spouse(s) | Theodosia Bartow Prevost (m. 1782; died 1794) Eliza Jumel (m. 1833) |
Children | 7 or more including: Theodosia John Aaron |
Relatives | Aaron Burr Sr. (Father) Esther Edwards (Mother) |
Education | Princeton University (BA) |
Signature | ![]() |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | Continental Army |
Years of service | 1775–1779 |
Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War • Battle of Quebec • Battle of Monmouth |
Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804, when Burr was still Vice President.
Burr conspired to form a new country in Mexico. He wanted to be present if and when Spain and Mexico went to war. Some people, including President Thomas Jefferson, who had picked a different vice president for his second term, saw Burr's actions as treason. However, in 1807 Burr was found innocent of the charges. He was often thought of by his enemies as unreliable. Burr died in 1836.
Aaron Burr Media
Burr's maternal grandfather Jonathan Edwards, a Congregationalist theologian
The Death of General Montgomery in the Attack on Quebec, December 31, 1775, a 1786 portrait by John Trumbull depicting the Battle of Quebec in 1775
A portrait of Burr and Theodosia Bartow Prevost, who Burr married in 1782, by Henry Benbridge
A 1790 illustration of Burr, Alexander Hamilton, and Philip Schuyler strolling Wall Street
Burr as vice president under Thomas Jefferson in 1803
An early 20th century illustration depicting the duel between Burr (right) and Alexander Hamilton (left) on July 11, 1804, in Weehawken, New Jersey. In the duel, Burr shot Hamilton in his liver and spine, resulting in injuries that later proved fatal
An 1860 survey of Louisiana showing "rejected claim of the Baron de Bastrop" along the Ouachita River
The site of Burr's capture in February 1807 near Wakefield, Alabama