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- I'm actually somewhat amazed at the similarities between Hamilton's rise and that of Napoleon.
- Both read extensively.
- Both drew attention to themselves by writing widely-read opinion-pieces that supported those who ended up raising their power.
- Both were in charge of artillery companies, apparently the super-weapon of its day, and distinguished themselves by their adept management of those companies.
- Napoleon's rise began ~20 years after Hamilton's.
- He worked harder than everyone around him / he focused on the things that would lead him to success (studying, publishing, meeting people).
- Examples
- Get the passages from Chernow's biography.
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- He read extensively / more than anyone around him.
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- He read extensively while living in St. Croix.
- He read extensively while at King's College.
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- He was more outspoken / aggressive / zealous / courageous than those around him.
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- At only ~19-20 he was having aggressive letters published in newspapers.
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- He drew attention to himself / impressed the people who were in power.
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- He published anonymous letters, and then later anonymous pamphlets. If they were well-received, he could announce that he had written them.
- This was how he raised the money to go to King's College.
- When he was put in command of soldiers, a higher-up general noticed what a good job Hamilton was doing drilling them, and when he spoke with Hamilton he was impressed with Hamilton's military knowledge (which was earned from his reading).
- He published anonymous letters, and then later anonymous pamphlets. If they were well-received, he could announce that he had written them.
- Examples
- He chose to remain in positions where his accomplishments would remain more visible.
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- He was offered aide positions by at least two generals, but he turned them down, preferring to remain in command of an artillery company.
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