The Alexander Hamilton Quiz
Estimated Completion Time 3 min
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Image: © Francis G. Mayer/Corbis
About This Quiz
You've read all the books. You've seen all the documentaries. You've memorized the all lyrics. Okay, you didn't, but you know all the words to the musical "Hamilton." Take this quiz to see if that's enough to give you an expert knowledge of Alexander Hamilton.
START QUIZ
Where was Hamilton born?
He was born on the islands of Nevis.
What year was Hamilton born?
There's evidence to support both 1755 and 1757 as Hamilton's birthdate, so guess away.
What scandalous circumstances was Hamilton born into?
His mother was married to someone who wasn't his father.
His parents eloped without their folks' blessing.
She had left (or been kicked out) of her marriage when she met James Hamilton, Alexander's father.
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.
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
sent him to America for formal education
Seriously, it's hard-knock life.
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.
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.
He was elected mayor of St. Croix.
Imagine being put in charge of the office you're interning for. As a 16-year old.
Hamilton came to America to study where?
Elizabethtown Academy was a grammar school.
Who else went to Elizabethtown Academy?
Burr was there a bit earlier than Hamilton.
Where did Hamilton study at university?
Although it was King's College then, Hamilton attended what is now Columbia University.
In the Revolutionary War, Hamilton was eventually asked to:
brainstorm a national anthem
join General George Washington as an aide
stop annoying his other officers by breaking out in song
Hamilton became a senior insider with Washington.
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.
What important document did Hamilton sign?
the Constitution of the United States
the Declaration of Independence
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.
Hamilton married:
Elizabeth Schuyler, from a posh New York family
Martha Washington's niece
no one, and had a reputation as a swinging bachelor his whole life
He and Eliza had 8 children.
After the war Hamilton worked briefly in what profession:
But the lure of office kept calling...
Who wrote The Federalist Papers with Hamilton?
John Jay and James Madison
John Jay and Thomas Jefferson
John Adams and James Madison
Hamilton wrote the bulk of the papers, but Jay and Madison both contributed.
What was the pseudonym used for the Federalist Papers?
To honor Publius Valerius Publicola's founding of the Roman Republic.
What was the main thrust of the Federalist Papers?
government should play a small, decentralized role
the Constitution should be ratified
government should be for the people, but not by the people
Remember that Hamilton, Monroe and Jay were all trying to get the Constitution ratified, so the Papers were essentially campaign materials.
Hamilton also wrote letters to newspapers defending the Constitution. What pseudonym did he use?
Too bad he chose Caesar, because Flintrock Dominus might've really whipped the crowd into a frenzy.
What position was Hamilton given in George Washington's government?
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of the Interior
Hamilton became the Boy Banking Wonder. (No one called him that.)
Hamilton proposed:
Although the National Bank didn't last long, the National Mint became an important part of the American economy.
What party did Hamilton become the leader of?
Although he wasn't a fan of political parties, Hamilton eventually led the Federalists.
Who was Hamilton's rival in the Federalist Party?
Hamilton even tried to subvert Adams' nomination for president, although they were members of the same party.
To sabotage Adams' second candidacy for president, Hamilton did what?
published a hit piece on Adams' character
promised Aaron Burr he would help elect him
threw his own hat into the nominating ring
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.
Hamilton was one of the first American politicians to be embroiled in what kind of 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.
Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr were both tied to win the presidency in 1800. Who did Hamilton urge the Federalists to support?
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.
But Hamilton wasn't done yet. How did he counter Burr once again, even after he was out of public office?
He drew a political cartoon portraying Burr as a weasel.
He had an affair with Burr's wife.
He supported Burr's Republican opponent when Burr ran for governor of New York.
Although Hamilton's opposition probably didn't influence the election, Burr did lose.
Aaron Burr finally challenged Hamilton to a duel over what?
the lack of endorsement in the gubernatorial election
claims that Hamilton held a "despicable opinion" of him
a rumor that Hamilton was going to publish a pamphlet detailing Burr's ineptitude as a politician
A newspaper published that Hamilton claimed at a dinner party that he couldn't stand Burr.
Who fired shots during the duel on July 11, 1804?
neither; Hamilton was wounded by a bullet from Burr's son
Only Hamilton was hit, however, and died on July 12, 1804 of his wounds.
What's your name, man?
Alexander Hamilton. My name is Alexander Hamilton.
If you don't get the question, just you wait. JUST YOU WAIT.
You Got:
/30
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