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Alexander Morgan Hamilton

Alexander Morgan Hamilton (January 25, 1903 – May 29, 1970) was an American philanthropist and civil servant. He was the grandson of J. P. Morgan the financier, and great-great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.

Alexander Morgan Hamilton
Personal details
Born(1903-01-25)January 25, 1903
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedMay 29, 1970(1970-05-29) (aged 67)
London, England
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Katherine Comly
​
​
(m. 1930; div. 1935)​

Elizabeth Malcolm Peltz
​
​
(m. 1935)​
RelationsHelen M. Hamilton (sister)
Pierpont Hamilton (brother)
J. P. Morgan (grandfather)
John Hamilton (great-grandfather)
Alexander Hamilton (great-great grandfather)
Parent(s)William Pierson Hamilton
Juliet Pierpont Morgan
EducationSt. Paul's School (1921)
Alma materHarvard University (1924)
OccupationPhilanthropist
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceMarine Corps
RankMajor
Battles/warsWorld War II

Early life

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Alexander Morgan Hamilton was born on January 25, 1903, in New York City to William Pierson Hamilton (1869–1950) and Juliet Pierpont Morgan (1870–1952), one of four children born to John Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913), the financier.[1] Through his paternal grandfather, William Gaston Hamilton (1832–1913), and his great-grandfather, John Church Hamilton, he was the great-great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton, the first United States Secretary of the Treasury, and Elizabeth Schuyler (1757–1854). His siblings included Helen Morgan Hamilton (1896–1985),[2] Pierpont Morgan Hamilton (1898–1982), and Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton (1908–1919).[3]

In 1921, he graduated from St. Paul's School, and from Harvard University in 1924.[4]

Career

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After graduation, Hamilton worked for a newspaper publisher, a Wall Street banking firm, and even tried his hand at producing motion pictures. In 1930, Hamilton ran an unsuccessful campaign for a State Senate seat in the 16th District of New York as a Republican.[5] He served as the chairman of the board of the New York Young Republican Club.[6]

Hamilton went on to serve as the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Markets in New York City, earning a $1 a day,[6] until a disagreement with Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia forced his resignation.[7][6] He later went on to serve as an Assistant to the Commissioner of Sanitation. During World War II, he served as a Major in the United States Marine Corps.[8]

He served for over 15 years as the President of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, one of the oldest historic preservation groups in the United States. Under his leadership, the group assisted in preserving Hamilton Grange, the historic summer house of his great-great-grandfather, and oversaw its transfer to the National Park Service.

Personal life

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Hamilton was married twice. The first marriage was on June 12, 1930, to Katherine Comly (d. 1975),[9] the daughter of Maj. Garrard Comly at St. Elizabeth's Chapel, Sterlington, New York, near Tuxedo Park.[10] Katherine's sister, Lanier Comly,[11] who married John Murray Mitchell,[12] was the mother of J. Murray Mitchell Jr. (1928–1990).[13] They divorced in 1935[14][6] and she later married James Bogart Tailer in 1936,[15] and after their divorce, to George Townsend Adee (1874–1948),[16][9] in 1946.[17]

On December 26, 1935, the same day his divorce to his first wife was finalized in Reno, Nevada, he married the widow, Elizabeth Malcolm Peltz Warburton Wanamaker (1905–1988). Elizabeth, the daughter of George M. Dallas Peltz (d. 1929), was first married in May 1923 to Edgerton Warburton. They divorced and in August 1932, she married Warburton's cousin, Captain John Wanamaker Jr., son of Rodman Wanamaker and grandson of John Wanamaker. Wanamaker died on November 29, 1934.[18][19][20]

Hamilton died of emphysema, on May 29, 1970, while on vacation in London.[8]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "J. PIERPONT MORGAN DEAD IN ROME; FINANCIER WORN OUT BY OVERWORK; WORLD PAYS TRIBUTE; STOCKS UNSHAKEN | Body Has Been Embalmed and Will Be Brought Here. | UNCONSCIOUS NEAR END | Mr. Morgan Could Not Retain Nourishment Even When Artificially Administered. | PUJO INQUIRY IS BLAMED | But Dr. Starr's View of the Origin of the Illness Is Scouted In Washington. | POPE GREATLY DISTRESSED | Kaiser and King Victor Send Condolences - Rome Festivities Canceled. | NO CHANGES IN THE FIRM | Son Long Trained To Take Father's Place - Associates Give High Praise to Dead Financier". The New York Times. April 1, 1913. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  2. ^ "Helen H. Burgess Dies at 88; Historic Preservation Leader". The New York Times. January 28, 1985. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  3. ^ Waggoner, Walter H. (March 16, 1982). "P.M. HAMILTON, 83, DIES ON THE COAST". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  4. ^ "Guide to the Alexander Morgan Hamilton Family Photograph Collection". New York Historical Society. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  5. ^ "Alexander Hamilton's Descendant Seeking Gotham Senate Seat". Chicago Daily Tribune. No. p. 9. August 30, 1930.
  6. ^ a b c d "ALEXANDER HAMILTON IS DIVORCED IN RENO; | Former Miss Katherine Comly Wins Decree and Property Agreement on Cruelty Charge". The New York Times. December 27, 1935. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  7. ^ "Alexander Hamilton Quits as Market Deputy". New York Herald Tribune. No. 19. November 28, 1935.
  8. ^ a b "Alexander Hamilton Dies at 67; Aide in Conservation Activities". The New York Times. May 30, 1970. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Deaths". The New York Times. June 15, 1975. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  10. ^ "KATHERINE COMLY WEDS A. HAMILTON; | Her Marriage to Nephew of J. Pierpont Morgan a Surprise to Society. | IN CHAPEL NEAR TUXEDO | Bride Attended by Her Sister and Bridegroom by His Brother-- Only Relatives Present". The New York Times. June 13, 1930. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  11. ^ Social Register, New York. Social Register Association. May 1920. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  12. ^ "Weddings". Brooklyn Life. June 28, 1919. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  13. ^ McFadden, Robert D. (October 8, 1990). "J. Murray Mitchell, Climatologist Who Foresaw Warming Peril, 62". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  14. ^ "MRS. A. HAMILTON IN RENO.; Former Katherine Comly to Divorce Morgan Grandson". The New York Times. November 16, 1935. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  15. ^ "MRS. HAMILTON WED TO JAMES B. TAILER; Former Katherine Comly Bride at Home of Her Sister in Tuxedo Park". The New York Times. July 20, 1936. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  16. ^ "GEORGE ADEE DIES; YALE ALUMNUS, 74 | All-America Back in '94 Led U.S. Tennis in 1916-20 -- Brokerage Firm Partner". The New York Times. August 1, 1948. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  17. ^ "MRS. K.C. TAILER ENGAGED TO WED; Former Katherine Comly Will Be Bride of George T. Adee, Brokerage Firm Partner". The New York Times. November 19, 1946. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  18. ^ "MRS. WANAMAKER BECOMES A BRIDE; Widow of Capt. John Wanamaker Jr. Is Married to Alexander Hamilton. | IN A SIMPLE CEREMONY | Municipal Court Justice Garside Officiates". The New York Times. December 29, 1935. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  19. ^ "Fights Wanamaker Tax Claim". The New York Times. January 8, 1941. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  20. ^ "WANAMAKER'S ESTATE REPORTED INSOLVENT; Shrinkage in Assets Left by John Jr. Revealed in Ruling by Court on Book Legacy". The New York Times. January 1, 1937. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
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