Alexander Hamilton, born into obscurity in the West Indies, made his reputation during the Revolutionary War and became one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers. He was an impassioned champion of a strong federal government and played a key role in ratifying the U.S. Constitution. As the first secretary of the U.S. Treasury, Hamilton built a financial foundation for the new nation against fierce opposition from archrival Thomas Jefferson. The differences between the two men would help shape the nation’s first political parties. Hamilton’s polarizing style of politics limited his later career prospects, and in 1804 he was killed by Aaron Burr, another longtime political foe, in a duel.

Source: History