Disclaimer: Original artwork inspired by Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. Used for educational and commentary purposes. This image is not affiliated with or endorsed by the producers of Hamilton or Lin-Manuel Miranda. This blog post discusses Hamilton: An American Musical through a critical and educational lens. All copyrighted materials referenced remain the property of their respective rights holders. Any original imagery or content inspired by the musical is used in accordance with fair use principles for commentary, analysis, and scholarship.
I admit it. I have always hated history. Something about the names of dead guys and dates that didn’t even matter to a young person just never caught on with me. And then, as an adult, I got to watch Jonathan Groff as King George come completely unhinged while saying history will be FUN and I knew Lin Manuel Miranda was onto something epic!
There is something in the storytelling of “Hamilton” that draws you in. It’s catchy, upbeat and edgy while still giving a history lesson, and as I sat there watching the musical unfold, I couldn’t help but wonder “why is history not being told like this?” Now, since “Hamilton”, we have been introduced to other history lessons such as “Six” which talks about the wives of Henry VIII as they hold a competition to see who is the best ex-wife.
So today, let’s talk about the man whose name was Alexander Hamilton, and how his life, when paired with rap beats and a very unhinged king, became a household name thanks to an amazing lyricist named Lin Manuel Miranda.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I still hate history. I probably always will if I’m completely honest. However, I am an autistic geeky theater nerd, and I love a good story, and Hamilton, with it’s musical back beat and immersive storytelling brought history to life in a way that was so engaging that my autistic brain forgot it was learning something it hated. It’s the same reason I find myself unexpectedly hooked by those History Channel shows—The Toys That Built America, The Titans That Built America, all of them. It’s not the dates. It’s the drama. The passion. The way people talk about cereal or steel like it’s life or death. How making soap by accident is a Shakespearean drama. That’s what Hamilton tapped into, too.
So without further ado, please silence your cell phone and remember that recording devices are not allowed at the show, but let’s dive into the life and story of Alexander Hamilton and Lin Manuel Miranda’s transformation of a life that became a household name.
You can’t really tell a story without knowing your subject, so let’s start with the most fundamental question: Who was Alexander Hamilton?
The Life of Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was born in either 1755 or 1757 in the Caribbean island of Nevis, the illegitimate son of a Scottish trader and a French-descended mother. Orphaned by age 13, Hamilton impressed local patrons with his intellect and writing, who funded his move to New York for education. He enrolled at King’s College (now Columbia University), but his studies were cut short by the American Revolution. A passionate supporter of independence, he served as an artillery captain and became George Washington’s aide-de-camp, eventually distinguishing himself in the 1781 Battle of Yorktown.
After the war, Hamilton turned his focus to building the new nation. He was instrumental in drafting the U.S. Constitution and co-wrote The Federalist Papers to support its ratification. As the first Secretary of the Treasury under President Washington, he established the foundations of the U.S. financial system, including a national bank, federal tax systems, and debt funding plans. He believed in a strong central government, often clashing with Thomas Jefferson’s vision of decentralized, agrarian power.
Hamilton’s personal life was marked by triumph and scandal. He married Elizabeth Schuyler, had eight children, and engaged in an extramarital affair that became America’s first political sex scandal. Despite his brilliance, Hamilton’s bluntness and ambition alienated allies. His longstanding feud with Aaron Burr climaxed in a duel in 1804, where Hamilton was fatally shot.
Though he died at just 47 or 49, Hamilton left a profound legacy in shaping America’s government, economy, and legal framework.
Hamilton: The Musical That Shaped the Country
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton redefined Broadway and popular history with its fresh, genre-bending portrayal of America’s “ten-dollar founding father.” But how closely does the Hamilton of the musical match the historical Alexander Hamilton? Let’s take a look—side by side.
THE IMMIGRANT NARRATIVE
Musical Hamilton:
The musical leans hard into Hamilton’s outsider identity, portraying him as a scrappy self-made man who worked harder than his peers to get ahead. His rise from poverty to political power is cast in a modern, aspirational light, emphasizing grit and ambition.
Historical Hamilton:
This framing is largely accurate. Hamilton was born out of wedlock in the Caribbean and orphaned young. He did earn his education through merit and became a self-made figure. Still, once in America, he was taken under the wing of wealthy elites, including the powerful Schuyler family. He married into privilege and operated as part of the upper class.
POLITICAL VISION
Musical Hamilton:
Hamilton is depicted as the progressive voice of strong central government, anti-slavery ideals, and democratic principles. He stands against Jefferson’s plantation values and fights for an America where he could start a new life with a clean slate.
Historical Hamilton:
Hamilton did advocate for a strong federal government, but he was far more conservative than the musical suggests. He favored elitist rule (even proposing a president for life), distrusted popular democracy, and often allied with slaveholders for political ends. While he opposed slavery on paper, his record on abolition is lukewarm—he never made it a primary political concern.
ROMANTIC & FAMILY LIFE
Musical Hamilton:
A central subplot features a love triangle between Alexander, Eliza, and her sister Angelica. Angelica sacrifices her feelings for Eliza’s sake, while Hamilton later betrays Eliza through an affair with Maria Reynolds. The show treats the Reynolds affair as a tragic personal failing that derails his legacy.
Historical Hamilton:
The affair with Reynolds did happen and nearly ended his career. However, the Angelica subplot is mostly fiction. She was already married when she met Hamilton, and while their letters were flirtatious, there’s no evidence of a romantic relationship. The show dramatizes this triangle for emotional impact.
THE DUEL
Musical Hamilton:
The final duel with Aaron Burr is portrayed as inevitable and deeply symbolic. Hamilton fires his shot in the air, a gesture of honor, and Burr instantly regrets his actions.
Historical Hamilton:
Hamilton may have fired in the air, but eyewitness accounts are conflicted. The show’s clean moral division—Hamilton as noble, Burr as jealous—is simplified. The real feud was political and personal, and the duel stemmed from years of rivalry, not one insult.
CASTING & STYLE
Musical Hamilton:
With a diverse cast and hip-hop score, Hamilton brings the founding era to today’s audience. It re-frames American history through voices often left out—Black, Latino, Asian performers telling a white man’s story.
Historical Hamilton:
This is where art triumphs over literal accuracy. Miranda’s Hamilton wasn’t about perfect history—it was about access, relevance, and reclaiming space. And in that mission, it succeeds powerfully.
All in all, the musical retelling of one of America’s founding fathers captures the spirit of Alexander Hamilton—driven, flawed, brilliant—but trims the messier parts of history for theatrical clarity. The result? A version of Hamilton that inspires, provokes, and invites us to dig deeper. Lucky for you, I did, so you don’t necessarily have to.
Whether you vibe with footnotes or footlights…
History or harmony… powdered wigs or power chords… if you’re the kind of person who reads the Reynolds Pamphlet and sings it at full volume in the shower—this collection is for you.
From academically inclined reads and brainy merch to musical-inspired gear that lets your inner ensemble shine, we’ve got pieces that celebrate both the man and the myth, both the archive and the aria.
So whether you’re building your bookshelf or curating your costume drawer…
Don’t throw away your shot—check out the collection now!
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Hamilton: The Revolution, a book by Lin Manuel Miranda available at Amazon
Alexander Hamilton, a book by Ron Chernow: available at Amazon
The Hamilton Scheme: An Epic Tale of Money and Power in the American Founding, a book by William Hogeland: available at Amazon
Hamilton Original Soundtack (Explicit): available at Amazon
Hamilton: One Shot to Broadway DVD: available at Amazon
Hamilton T-Shirt: available at Amazon
Super cute Hamilton Socks: available at Amazon