This concise collection of the Founding Father's public and private writings provides an introduction to his life, personality, political career, and influence on the early history of the United States. Contents include Hamilton's political essays, selections from the Federalist Papers, First Report on the Public Credit and Report on a National Bank, and personal correspondence with his wife, friends, and political colleagues. AUTHOR: Because he never held an elective office, Alexander Hamilton (c.1755 1804) is less well known than some of the other Founding Fathers. The immensely successful Broadway musical based on his life and career has excited renewed interest in the man whose claims to fame include service as George Washington's aide, promoter of the U.S. Constitution, author of most of the Federalist Papers, and first Secretary of the Treasury.