The Alexander Hamilton Quiz

Where was Hamilton born?

the West Indies

He was born on the islands of Nevis.

New York state

New Jersey

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What year was Hamilton born?

1755

1757

Uh, 1755 or 1757?

There's evidence to support both 1755 and 1757 as Hamilton's birthdate, so guess away.

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What scandalous circumstances was Hamilton born into?

His father was an actor.

His mother was married to someone who wasn't his father.

She had left (or been kicked out) of her marriage when she met James Hamilton, Alexander's father.

His parents eloped without their folks' blessing.

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Hamilton's dad:

fought those who lodged charges of bigamy towards his wife

became a successful landowner

left the family when Hamilton was a child

He left the family destitute.

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Hamilton was orphaned at around 12 years old when his mother died. He was given up to a cousin who:

he later inherited a fortune from

committed suicide months later

Seriously, it's hard-knock life.

sent him to America for formal education

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After his mother's death, a wealthy merchant named Thomas Stevens became his guardian. What do some historians speculate about their relationship?

that Hamilton and Stevens had an enduring affair

that Hamilton and Stevens were half-brothers

that Stevens was Hamilton's biological father

Thomas Stevens' son and Hamilton looked uncannily alike, and it was long rumored that Thomas Stevens and Hamilton's mother Rachel had an affair.

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As a teenager, Hamilton was given what large responsibility?

He had to cook his company's books.

He was left in charge of the office he was clerking for while the owner went abroad.

Imagine being put in charge of the office you're interning for. As a 16-year old.

He was elected mayor of St. Croix.

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Hamilton came to America to study where?

Harvard

Columbia

Elizabethtown Academy

Elizabethtown Academy was a grammar school.

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Who else went to Elizabethtown Academy?

John Quincy Adams

Thomas Jefferson

Aaron Burr

Burr was there a bit earlier than Hamilton.

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Where did Hamilton study at university?

Princeton

Harvard

Columbia

Although it was King's College then, Hamilton attended what is now Columbia University.

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In the Revolutionary War, Hamilton was eventually asked to:

brainstorm a national anthem

join General George Washington as an aide

Hamilton became a senior insider with Washington.

stop annoying his other officers by breaking out in song

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During the Constitutional Convention, Hamilton proposed:

that all the states should be named after native birds

presidents and senators could serve life terms

The suggestion made a few people think he was getting suspiciously close to suggesting a monarchy.

that women should vote

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What important document did Hamilton sign?

the Constitution of the United States

Hamilton is the one leaning into Benjamin Franklin in Howard Chandler Christy's famous "Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States" painting.

the Declaration of Independence

both

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Hamilton married:

Elizabeth Schuyler, from a posh New York family

He and Eliza had 8 children.

Martha Washington's niece

no one, and had a reputation as a swinging bachelor his whole life

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After the war Hamilton worked briefly in what profession:

as a farmer

as a lawyer

But the lure of office kept calling…

as an accountant

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Who wrote The Federalist Papers with Hamilton?

John Jay and James Madison

Hamilton wrote the bulk of the papers, but Jay and Madison both contributed.

John Jay and Thomas Jefferson

John Adams and James Madison

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What was the pseudonym used for the Federalist Papers?

Hilarious

Publius

To honor Publius Valerius Publicola's founding of the Roman Republic.

Americanus Rex

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What was the main thrust of the Federalist Papers?

government should play a small, decentralized role

the Constitution should be ratified

Remember that Hamilton, Monroe and Jay were all trying to get the Constitution ratified, so the Papers were essentially campaign materials.

government should be for the people, but not by the people

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Hamilton also wrote letters to newspapers defending the Constitution. What pseudonym did he use?

Flintrock Dominus

Talemander Gamilson

Caesar

Too bad he chose Caesar, because Flintrock Dominus might've really whipped the crowd into a frenzy.

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What position was Hamilton given in George Washington's government?

Secretary of State

Secretary of the Treasury

Hamilton became the Boy Banking Wonder. (No one called him that.)

Secretary of the Interior

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Hamilton proposed:

a National Bank

a National Mint

both

Although the National Bank didn't last long, the National Mint became an important part of the American economy.

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What party did Hamilton become the leader of?

the Federalist Party

Although he wasn't a fan of political parties, Hamilton eventually led the Federalists.

the Republican Party

the Democratic Party

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Who was Hamilton's rival in the Federalist Party?

John Adams

Hamilton even tried to subvert Adams' nomination for president, although they were members of the same party.

James Monroe

Thomas Jefferson

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To sabotage Adams' second candidacy for president, Hamilton did what?

published a hit piece on Adams' character

Although it was meant to be privately shared, good old Aaron Burr published "The Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq., President of the United States" — putting another nail in Hamilton's political coffin.

promised Aaron Burr he would help elect him

threw his own hat into the nominating ring

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Hamilton was one of the first American politicians to be embroiled in what kind of scandal:

embezzlement scandal

sex scandal

In 1797, Hamilton was outed for an affair with a married woman, whose husband was linked to financial fraud. By publishing his letters to her, Hamilton proved he didn't commit any crime — but did have to acknowledge the affair.

bribery scandal

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Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr were both tied to win the presidency in 1800. Who did Hamilton urge the Federalists to support?

neither

Hamilton

Jefferson

Jefferson was a nemesis of the Federalist Party (and Hamilton), but Hamilton was none-too-pleased with Burr's publication. While the Federalists elected Hamilton, they were largely dismissive and distrustful of him from that point on.

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