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Alexander Hamilton

First United States Secretary of the Treasury

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Alexander Hamilton was born in 1755 in Charlestown on the island of Nevis in the British West Indies. In 1772, Hamilton came to America to finish his education. He attended King's College, now Columbia University, but joined after the start of the American Revolution, he joined the colonial forces and fought in the Long Island and New Jersey campaigns. In March, 1777, he was made secretary to General George Washington and promoted to lieutenant colonel.

After the war, he represented New York twice in Congress. At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Hamilton was an advocate of a strong federal government. His views were published in the Federalist Papers.

Hamilton was secretary of the treasury from 1789 to 1795. His great achievement was funding the federal debt at face value, putting the new government on a firm financial foundation. He was responsible for the first Bank of the United States. He disliked Thomas Jefferson but supported his election in 1800 over Aaron Burr. That and other matters led to a duel between the two men on July 11, 1804. Hamilton died the next day.