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'''Alexander Hamilton''' (January 11, 1755 – July 12, 1804) was a [[statesman]], a [[Political philosophy|political theorist]] and an [[economist]]. He was one of the [[Founding Fathers of the United States]]. Hamilton was the [[United States]]' first [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]]. He was known for the creation of a [[national bank]]. Born on the [[island]] of [[Nevis]] in the [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]], Hamilton moved to [[New York City]]. When the [[American Revolutionary War]] started, Hamilton served in the [[Continental Army]]. He was a close [[aide|aide]] to [[General]] [[George Washington]]. After leaving the military he started a [[bank]]. He was one of the [[frame|frame]]rs of the [[United States Constitution]]. Along with [[James Madison]] and [[John Jay]], he wrote the [[Federalist Papers]], which supported the new Constitution.

'''Alexander Hamilton''' (January 11, 1755 – July 12, 1804) was a [[statesman]], a [[Political philosophy|political theorist]] and an [[economist]]. He was one of the [[Founding Fathers of the United States]]. Hamilton was the [[United States]]' first [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]]. He was known for the creation of a [[national bank]]. Born on the [[island]] of [[Nevis]] in the [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]], Hamilton moved to [[New York City]]. When the [[American Revolutionary War]] started, Hamilton served in the [[Continental Army]]. He was a close [[aide|aide]] to [[General]] [[George Washington]]. After leaving the military he started a [[bank]]. He was one of the [[frame|frame]]rs of the [[United States Constitution]]. Along with [[James Madison]] and [[John Jay]], he wrote the [[Federalist Papers]], which supported the new Constitution.

Hamilton became the [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]] under George Washington. He helped set up the United States' [[finance|financial system]]. Hamilton supported a national bank as well as the [[fund|fund]]ing of the national [[debt]]. A leader of the [[Federalist Party]], he was a long time [[rival]] of [[Thomas Jefferson]]. He was killed in a [[Burr–Hamilton duel|duel]] with political rival [[Aaron Burr]], who was one of his first friends, in 1804.

Hamilton became the [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]] under George Washington. He helped set up the United States' [[finance|financial system]]. Hamilton supported a national bank as well as the [[fund|fund]]ing of the national [[debt]]. A leader of the [[Federalist Party]], he was a long time [[rival]] of [[Thomas Jefferson]]. He was killed in a [[Burr–Hamilton duel|duel]] with political rival [[Aaron Burr]] in 1804.

Today, Hamilton is usually thought of as one of the most important of the early leaders. Hamilton's [[portrait]] appears on the [[United States ten-dollar bill]].

Today, Hamilton is usually thought of as one of the most important of the early leaders. Hamilton's [[portrait]] appears on the [[United States ten-dollar bill]].

== Early life ==

== Early life ==

Hamilton was not born in the [[United States]]. He was from the [[Caribbean]] island of [[Nevis]]. His father was James Hamilton and his mother was Rachel Fawcett Lavien. Hamilton's mother had a child from a previous marriage that she left behind when she moved to Nevis. At the time, she was still married to another man. This meant that Hamilton was [[illegitimate]]. He was very sensitive about this fact. His father had left him as a child. Two years after this tragedy both Hamilton and his mother became sick. Hamilton recovered, but unfortunately his mother died. He was grief-stricken and moved in with his cousin. His cousin committed suicide.

Hamilton was born in the [[Caribbean]] island of [[Nevis]]. His father was James Hamilton and his mother was Rachel Fawcett Lavien. Hamilton's mother had a child from a previous marriage that she left behind when she moved to Nevis. At the time, she was still married to another man. This meant that Hamilton was [[illegitimate]]. He was very sensitive about this fact. His father had left him as a child. Two years after this tragedy both Hamilton and his mother became sick. Hamilton recovered, but unfortunately his mother died. He was grief-stricken and moved in with his cousin. His cousin committed suicide.

In 1772 Hamilton went to New York to continue his education. He attended Kings College, now called [[Columbia University]], until 1776.

In 1772 Hamilton went to New York to continue his education. He attended Kings College, now called [[Columbia University]], until 1776.