Biography of Alexander Hamilton

This principal architect of the Federalist Papers is exceptional and enigmatic among figures of the revolutionary period. Belatedly and only grudgingly admitted to the canon of great American thinkers, Hamilton's importance as early nationalist, leading exponent of Federalism, and political and financial visionary in the critical post-revolutionary years only fully came to light in the mid-twentieth century, as scholars eyeing the financial and administrative histories of the early United States began to reconsider his achievements. …

…memory should have engaged in this extraordinary action is impossible to explain," manifesting a certain discomfort with Hamilton's probable self-promoting behavior. (Rossiter, Clinton J., ed. The Federalist Papers. New York: Penguin, 1961, p. x-xi.) Henry Cabot Lodge, turn-of-the-century Harvard historian and towering figure among students of Hamilton's life, glosses over the less flattering attributes of this great statesman in lieu of extolling his sharp intellect and wise political and professional judgment. (Lodge, Henry Cabot. Alexander Hamilton)