Alexander Hamilton was one of America's Founding Fathers and the nation's first Secretary of the Treasury. Born in the Caribbean in the mid-1750s, Hamilton came to New York as a teenager with almost nothing: no money, few family connections, and little formal education. Through determination and brilliance, he became one of the most influential people in American history.

During the Revolutionary War, Hamilton served as George Washington's trusted aide and later led troops in battle. After the war, he helped write the Federalist Papers, a series of essays explaining why the new Constitution would create a stronger, more effective government. These essays are still studied today because they explain so clearly how American government was designed to work.

As Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton created the financial system that helped the young United States survive and prosper. He helped establish a national bank, organized how the government would handle debt, and set up systems for collecting taxes and managing money. Many countries later copied ideas similar to his.

Hamilton died in 1804 after being shot in a duel by Vice President Aaron Burr, a political rival. Though his life ended tragically in his late 40s, Hamilton's influence on American government and economics lasted long after. His face appears on the ten-dollar bill, and in recent years, a popular Broadway musical brought his remarkable story to millions of new audiences.