During today's run, I finished the biography that inspired the Toni Award winning musical "Hamilton". Hamilton's life is an amazing story. Born of uncertain parentage in the West Indies and orphaned at a young age, Hamilton was an impressive youth who worked for his late mother's landlord. A group of local merchants raised a collection to send the prodigy to New York to study at King's College (now Columbia University).
Hamilton arrived in New York as political tension grew into revolution, and soon joined the revolutionary cause with his fellow students on principle and to distinguish himself. Once he proved his worth as a captain of an artillery company, Hamilton became an irreplaceable aid to General Washington. Hamilton was Washington's most valuable aid during the war and, later, his most trusted advisor as the new American nation was born.
During their service in the Continental Army Hamilton and Washington suffered through the fledgling days of the first American government; the loosely bound former colonies struggled to fund the army, and both men became advocates of a strong national government with the maintain a military force sufficient to defend itself from foreign powers. To this end, Hamilton promoted a strong executive government branch - a position construed by political opponents to declare Hamilton a monarchist.
Once the constitution for the new government was drafted and signed Washington chose Hamilton as the first Treasury Secretary. As one of the new nation's most powerful government officials Hamilton promoted banking, trade with Britain, and a large standing army. Hamilton's work set the foundation for many of the government's policies and institutions.
Though Hamilton earned renown for his political contributions he did not have a vast estate or family fortune. Before and after his tenure as Treasury Secretary Hamilton maintained a well-respected law practice and was able to maintain his influence on early American politics when he returned to his legal practice.
Jeffersonian politicians organized opposition to Hamilton's centralist policies in favor of greater individual liberties and state's rights. When Jefferson and Aaron Burr, another New York lawyer, received an equal number of electoral votes for president, Hamilton used his political influence to convince several representatives to support Jefferson instead of the more dangerous Burr. After many years of opposition in the court room and in the political arena, Burr was again stymied by Hamilton during his campaign for New York's 1804 gubernatorial election. His honor iinsulted and pride wounded, Burr accused Hamilton of slander and challenged him to the lethal duel that ultimately killed Chernow's subject.
Hamilton's story is inspirational. Through hard work and dedication to his purpose Hamilton rose from the margins of society to shaping a nation. The obstacles Hamilton overcame seem insurmountable, but to achieve the acclaim he desired there was no other path. How fitting: the country known for the American Dream was perhaps most influenced by a man who achieved the American Dream.
Why I chose to read "Alexander Hamilton"
- It inspired the Toni Award winning musical "Hamilton."
- I enjoy learning about our nation's founding fathers. They overcame unbelievable adversity to create a new nation and the world's oldest democracy.
- Those who fail to understand history may be doomed to repeat it.
- The hold became available and it was my best available
How I "read" it
- I borrowed the digital audiobook from the Toronto Public Library.