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Alexander Hamilton was born on Nevis, an island in the West Indies in 1755*. He lived with his father James, his mother Rachel, and his older brother James, Jr. The family’s home faced the waterfront in Charlestown, the capitol. Alexander was born a subject of the British King George II. He would later join the American revolution against the King’s son George III.
Young Alexander Hamilton
Nevis was part of the slave, sugar, and molasses trade. Eight thousand slaves lived there with a population of only one thousand whites. Alexander witnessed the cruel treatment of both female and male slaves. It is not surprising that he later became one of the founding members of the first anti-slavery organization in North America.
Nevis
In 1765, James Hamilton moved his family to Christiansted, St. Croix. Not long after, he left the island. Alexander wrote to his father, but he never saw him again. Rachel and her sons moved into a two-story house. They lived upstairs, while she and Alexander ran a store downstairs.
Rachel had a library of thirty-four books. Alexander loved to read them. He read Shakespeare, Alexander Pope, and Plutarch’s Lives about Greek and Roman heroes. Alexander helped to educate himself by reading.
St. Croix
In 1768, both Rachel and Alexander became very ill. Alexander survived, but Rachel did not. All her possessions were auctioned. Fortunately, an uncle knew how important Rachel’s books were to Alexander. He bought them for him. A cousin of the boys became their guardian but died soon after. Alexander and James were on their own. James became a carpenter’s apprentice. While Alexander worked as a clerk for a trading company.
In October 1771, Alexander’s boss sailed to New York for health reasons. Recognizing Alexander’s intelligence, his boss put him in charge. Alexander shined. He took control, ran the business like a pro, and even confronted a ship captain he accused of cheating him. Alexander was only sixteen. Five months later his boss sailed home and Alexander was a clerk again.
It was likely that Alexander would have been a clerk for his entire life. But in 1770, a newspaper began publication on the island. Alexander wrote poetry and the Gazette published his poems. Alexander thought that writing could be a way to advance himself.
Then, something happened that would change Alexander’s life. A major hurricane swept through St. Croix in August 1772. The Gazette called it the “most dreadful hurricane.” Alexander wrote about it in a letter to his father. He said in part: The roaring of the sea and wind…the crash of falling houses, and the ear-piercing shrieks of the distressed were sufficient to strike astonishment into angels.”
The Gazette printed his letter. The islanders noticed. Businessmen raised money to send Alexander to an American college to receive the education he deserved.
George Washington and Alexander Hamilton
Alexander sailed to America his new home. One day, he would be a captain in the Continental Army; an aide to General George Washington; the hero of the Battle of Yorktown; and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury. Alexander Hamilton became one of America’s greatest founding fathers.
Statue of Alexander Hamilton, U.S. Capitol
Images are courtesy of Wiki Commons
*Many recent historians accept 1755 as Hamilton’s birth year based on reliable evidence instead of 1757, the year Hamilton used.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
Who Was Alexander Hamilton?
By Pam Pollack and Meg Belviso, Illustrated by Dede Putra
Born in the West Indies and orphaned as a child, Alexander Hamilton made his way to the American Colonies. He fought in the American Revolution and rose to the rank of Major General. He became the chief aide to General George Washington. After the war, Alexander became the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. 8-12 years
Alexander Hamilton American Hero
By Barbara Lowell, Illustrated by George Ermos
With his face on the ten-dollar and an award-winning musical about his life, it’s clear that Alexander Hamilton’s story is one worth telling. Despite feeling like an outsider, Hamilton fought hard to form a united nation with a strong central government. And many of his ideas are still relevant today! With this illustrated leveled reader, kids can learn about the man who, in many ways, was a true American hero. 6-8 years
Alexander Hamilton The Outsider
By Jean Fritz
Most people know that Alexander Hamilton was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr, and that his face is on the ten dollar bill. But he was much more than that!
Born in the West Indies, Hamilton arrived in New York as an immigrant, an outsider. He fought in the American Revolution and became George Washington’s most valuable aide-de-camp. As one of America’s Founding Fathers, he was there for the writing of the Constitution and became the first Secretary of the Treasury. Alexander Hamilton was a man of action, honorable, ambitious, and fiercely loyal to his adopted country. 8-12 years
Alexander Hamilton: The Fighting Founder Father
By Mark Shulman, Illustrated by Kelly Tindall
Alexander Hamilton: The Fighting Founding Father! tells the story of one of the most ambitious and controversial figures in American history in a graphic novel format. From a rough childhood on the Caribbean island of Nevis to the highest levels of American politics, His life was filled with adventure, conflict, and controversy. Full-color illustrations and an entertaining narrative make this graphical biography of America’s first Secretary of the Treasury accessible for readers of all ages. 8-12 years
Alexander Hamilton: The Graphic History of an American Founding Father
By Jonathan Hennessey, Illustrated by Justin Greenwood
Alexander Hamilton was one of the most influential figures in United States history. He fought in the Revolutionary War, helped develop the Constitution, and as the first Secretary of the Treasury established landmark economic policy that we still use today. Hennessey and Greenwood tell the story of this improbable hero who helped shape the United States of America. A graphic novel.
Alexander Hamilton From Orphan to Founding Father
By Monica Kulling, Illustrated by Valerio Fabbretta
Did you know that one of our Founding Fathers was not born in America? An orphan from the West Indies, Alexander Hamilton came to the colonies and played an important role in the Revolutionary War. He helped obtain the ratification of the Constitution. He was American’s first secretary of the treasury. A man of ambition, loyalty, and principle, he is now celebrated as the prominent patriot he was. 5-8 years
Alexander Hamilton Activity Book
By George Toufexis
This educational activity book celebrates the inspiring achievements of Alexander Hamilton. With challenging activities including: word searches, mazes, puzzles, spot-the-difference, secret codes and more. 9-12 years
The Duel: The Parallel Lives of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr
By Judith St. George
In curiously parallel lives, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr were both orphaned at an early age. Both were brilliant students, were staff officers under George Washington, and became war heroes. Each served in the newly formed government. Why, then, did these two face each other at dawn in a duel that ended with death for one and harsh criticism for the other. 112 pages
Alexander Hamilton: A Plan for America
By Sarah Albee, Illustrated by Chin Ko
Alexander Hamilton was one of America’s founders. He was the first secretary of the treasury and George Washington’s right-hand man. But he also made some dangerous enemies during his short yet dramatic life.
Beginning readers will learn about the milestones in his life in this Level Two I Can Read biography, which combines a traditional, illustrated narrative with historical illustrations and photographs at the back of the book—complete with a timeline, illustrations, and interesting facts.
Alexander Hamilton: A Plan for America is a Level Two I Can Read, geared for kids who read on their own but still need a little help. 4-8 years
Aaron and Alexander: The Most Famous Duel in American History
By Don Brown
Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton were both fierce patriots during the Revolutionary War, but the politics of the young United States of America put them in constant conflict. Their extraordinary story of bitter fighting and resentment culminates in their famous duel. 5-7 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author