Alexander Hamilton

Summary of qualities / habits that led him to success

• 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
• He read extensively / more than anyone around him.
  • Examples
• He was more outspoken / aggressive / zealous / courageous than those around him.
  • Examples
    • At only ~19-20 he was having aggressive letters published in newspapers.
• He drew attention to himself / impressed the people who were in power.
  • Examples
    • 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 chose to remain in positions where his accomplishments would remain more visible.
  • Examples
    • He was offered aide positions by at least two generals, but he turned them down, preferring to remain in command of an artillery company.

Summary of path to success

• Born in the Caribbean.
• Mother died.
• He went to live with the man who was probably his biological father.
• This man put Hamilton to work in the man's merchant business.
• Hamilton became friends with a journalist / preacher.
• The preacher encouraged Hamilton to submit a letter describing a hurricane to a local newspaper, signed anonymously.
• The letter was well-received, and when it was revealed who had written it, a fund was collected to send Hamilton to college in the Colonies.

Ron Chernow's biography