Hamilton's Rise to Political Presence

In the summer of 1804, Hamilton took a duel with Edward's grandson, Burj, Jr., who was the sitting vice president of the United States under Thomas Jefferson. Strangely enough, citing Christian conviction, Hamilton threw away his shot by not firing upon his opponent. Burr, however, took aim and struck his rival. And Hamilton died 31 hours later on July 12, 1804. The 2004 biography began the work of doing justice to Hamilton's memory in the 21st century.