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Alexander Hamilton (1755 or 1757 – 1804) was an American statesman and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was an influential interpreter and promoter of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the founder of the nation's financial system, the Federalist Party, the United States Coast Guard, and The New York Post newspaper. As the first Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton was the main author of the economic policies of the George Washington administration.
Hamilton emphasized strong central government and successfully argued that the implied powers of the Constitution provided the legal authority to fund the national debt. In the early 19th century, Hamilton conducted legal and business activities in New York City, and was active in ending the international slave trade. He was killed during a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr, after the latter took umbrage at Hamilton's campaigning against him in the New York gubernatorial election.Engraving: Bureau of Engraving and Printing; restoration: Andrew Shiva