Who was Alexander Hamilton?

Summary

Episode Summary: "Who Was Alexander Hamilton?"

Release Date: July 4, 2025

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Introduction: Alexander Hamilton in Modern Culture

The episode begins by highlighting the contemporary resurgence of interest in Alexander Hamilton, primarily fueled by the immensely successful Broadway musical "Hamilton." The narrator poses an engaging trivia question to listeners:

[00:00] Narrator: "Do you know the name of the person on the ten dollar bill? If you said George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, or Ben Franklin. Sorry, smarties. But if you said Alexander Hamilton, you're right."

This sets the stage for exploring who Alexander Hamilton was beyond his portrayal in popular media.

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Hamilton's Role in Early American Government

The discussion swiftly moves to Hamilton's significant contributions to the nascent United States. Through interactive questions, listeners learn about his pivotal role:

[01:12] Narrator: "Was he A, America's first Vice President, B, the first Treasury Secretary, or C, the first Defense Secretary?"

The correct answer, B, the first Treasury Secretary, underscores Hamilton's foundational impact on America's financial system.

Notable Quote:

[01:15] Alexander Hamilton: "Do you blame me? You try starting a new country. For that, you need big leaders with big ideas and even bigger personalities."

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Early Life and Ascent

Alexander Hamilton's humble beginnings are explored, dispelling myths about his privileged upbringing. The narrator challenges a common misconception:

[02:11] Narrator: "True or false. Hamilton became a Founding Father because growing up he knew a lot of famous American people."

Hamilton clarifies his self-made success:

[02:11] Alexander Hamilton: "That statement is blatantly false. I didn't even grow up in the colonies... I did things on my own, using brains and hard work to achieve a position of power."

Notable Quote:

[07:24] Alexander Hamilton: "Yep, just a boy."

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Contributions to the American Revolution

Hamilton's active involvement in the American Revolution is a focal point. The episode details his transition from writer to military leader:

[07:55] Narrator: "What was this war called? A, the Civil War, B, World War I, or C, the American Revolution?"

Highlighting his military prowess:

[08:32] Alexander Hamilton: "Yes, I was quite skilled in battle and after just a year of war, I earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Continental Army."

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The Federalist Papers and the Constitution

A significant portion of the episode delves into Hamilton's intellectual legacy, particularly his role in authoring the Federalist Papers:

[10:30] Narrator: "Do you know what these essays are called? Are they A, the Federalist Papers, B, the Pentagon Papers or C, the Constitution Papers?"

Hamilton's dedication is evident:

[10:30] Alexander Hamilton: "Just like my country, I was young, scrappy, and hungry. I'd write day and night like I was running out of time."

His contribution of 51 out of 85 essays highlights his influence on the foundational principles of the United States.

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Appointment as Treasury Secretary and Economic Policies

The episode underscores Hamilton's visionary economic strategies that shaped America's financial landscape:

[11:08] Narrator: "Under Hamilton's leadership, the US government developed a strong national bank and set the foundation for what would eventually become today's Federal Reserve System."

Hamilton reflects on his legislative environment:

[11:05] Alexander Hamilton: "I was in the room where members of the cabinet debated ideas and created new government policy."

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Rivalry with Aaron Burr and the Duel

A pivotal moment in Hamilton's life—the infamous duel with Aaron Burr—is covered with dramatic flair:

[15:45] Narrator: "Do you know why the name Aaron Burr upsets Hamilton so much? ... the answer is C. he shot and killed Hamilton in a duel."

Hamilton's dismissal of the fact:

[16:23] Alexander Hamilton: "Really? The only one?"

This segment poignantly remembers Hamilton as the only Founding Father killed in a duel by a sitting Vice President.

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Assessment of the "Hamilton" Musical

The episode critically examines the accuracy of the "Hamilton" musical, balancing admiration with historical scrutiny:

[17:03] Narrator: "Well, for one thing, it's been said that the musical makes you way more likable than you were in real life."

Hamilton acknowledges the artistic liberties taken:

[17:16] Narrator: "And the play makes you a strong opponent of slavery."

[17:26] Alexander Hamilton: "Uh huh, uh huh. What else is there?"

Despite these embellishments, the episode concedes the musical's role in popularizing Hamilton's legacy while encouraging listeners to explore more comprehensive historical sources.

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Conclusion: Beyond the Musical

Wrapping up, the narrator emphasizes that while the musical provides a captivating introduction to Hamilton's life, there's a wealth of additional information available for those eager to delve deeper:

[18:39] Alexander Hamilton: "Egads, is that true?"

[18:42] Narrator: "Would a trusty narrator lie? But here's the thing, smarty pants. The Hamilton musical is just a starting point."

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Final Remarks and Acknowledgments

The episode concludes with acknowledgments to contributors and a nod to dedicated listeners:

[19:01] Narrator: "A super smarty shout out to a super smarty family... We just love sharing science and history with you."

Production Credits:

• Written by: Dave De Lafayette Beaudry
• Voiced by: Mike Myshot, Prince Prevetti, and Jerry Colbert
• Technical Direction and Sound Design: Josh Hercules Hahn
• Associate Producer: Max Constitution Komaski
• Theme Song: Brian Schuyler Sister Suarez (Lyrics by Adam Burr)
• Created and Produced by: Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colber
• Produced by: Atomic Audio

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Key Takeaways:

• Alexander Hamilton's Legacy: A self-made man whose intellect and hard work were instrumental in shaping the early American government and financial systems.
• Historical Impact vs. Pop Culture: While the "Hamilton" musical has revitalized interest in his life, it is essential to explore historical texts for a more nuanced understanding.
• Enduring Influence: Hamilton's contributions, from the Federalist Papers to the establishment of the national bank, continue to influence modern America.

"Who Smarted?" successfully blends humor, trivia, and thorough historical exploration to engage young minds, making complex historical narratives accessible and entertaining.

Transcript

[Narrator]

And now it's time for who Smarted? Psst. Hey, smarty pants. Here's a quick question for any smarty pants living in the United States or anyone who has ever seen or paid using American money. Do you know the name of the person on the ten dollar bill? If you said George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, or Ben Franklin. Sorry, smarties. But if you said Alexander Hamilton, you're right. But wait, smartypants, who was Alexander Hamilton? The funny thing is, if I asked this question 20 years ago, a lot of listeners would have probably had trouble answering it. But these days, a lot of you do know, thanks to a particular Broadway musical.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Stop the music. Stop the music. I have done way too much to be remembered simply as a musical and song and dance number.

[Narrator]

But Mr. Hamilton, the play about yout was hugely successful and received many of the world's highest honors. That included 11 Tony Awards, seven Olivier Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize for drama. Trust me when I say the play about your life is more than just a song and dance number.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Gah. I don't know anything about that. I just care about the Republic.

[Narrator]

Some say you cared a lot about yourself too.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Do you blame me? You try starting a new country. For that you need big leaders with big ideas and even bigger personalities.

[Narrator]

Smartypants, do you know what role Alexander Hamilton had back when the United States was brand new? Was he A, America's first Vice President, B, the first Treasury Secretary, or C, the first Defense Secretary?

[Alexander Hamilton]

My family didn't have much money, but I grew to like it.

[Narrator]

Indeed, Alexander Hamilton took charge of America's money as B, the nation's first Treasury Secretary. He was appointed by the first President of the United States. Go ahead, call out his name on the count of three. Ready? One, two, three. That's right, George Washington, smarty pants. True or false. Hamilton became a Founding Father because growing up he knew a lot of famous American people.

[Trusty]

Ha.

[Alexander Hamilton]

That statement is blatantly false. I didn't even grow up in the colonies. My home was the Caribbean island of Nevis. In fact, I didn't know anybody after my father left and my mother died. I did things on my own, using brains and hard work to achieve a position of power.

[Narrator]

So in other words, this $10 founding father without a father got a lot farther by working a lot harder, by being a lot smarter, by being a self starter. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Stop it. Stop it. I don't want any of that.

[Narrator]

Sorry. We'll do this the way we normally do. On who smarted by asking and Answering questions like, why is Alexander Hamilton so famous? What was his life really like? And how much of the hit musical is true? And what was made up. It's time for another whiff of history and science. On who Smarted.

[Trusty]

Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up everyone. We make smarting lots of fun.

[Narrator]

On who's Smart and hey guys, trusty here. I've been loving the clothing brand Quince even before they reached out to advertise. On who Smarted. It started with one of their flknit Polos. Soft, breathable, and somehow made me look way more excited for adventure than I actually am. Then I got hooked. Their lightweight pants, cotton button downs, even their sweaters. Everything just fits right, feels amazing and holds up wash after wash. But here's what really sold me. Everyone else here at Whosmarted was asking about my clothes and they started ordering and loving it too. Chet Nickerson and his wife found the perfect clothes for a summer wedding. And my niece Gia got a few kids pieces that are durable, comfy and actually snow stylish. And the price is legit. Half of what you'd pay elsewhere for the same quality. That's because Quint cuts out the middlemen and works directly with top tier factories that use safe ethical practices. You know, we love that here at WhoSmarted. Good clothes, good prices, and good for the planet. That's why I was so excited when they reached out to sponsor WhoSmarted. Because I'm already a fan for life. Go to quints.com smarted for free shipping and 365 day returns. That's Q-U-I-N c e.com smarted smarty pants. If you look at a US one dollar bill and US five dollar bill, you'll notice they feature two presidents, Washington and Lincoln. And as we've said, Alexander Hamilton is on the next highest US dollar amount, the $10 bill. True or false? Hamilton also became a president. The answer is false. Despite being on US Money, Hamilton never became president.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Quiet. But yes, it's true. I never became president.

[Narrator]

Smarty pants. True or false. Alexander Hamilton is the only person on current US Money who was not a president. The answer to that is also false. That's right. There's one other non president on US currency. And guess what? We did a who Smarted episode about him. If you know who we're talking about, go ahead and shout out your answer on three. One, two, three. Yep, it's Ben Franklin.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Ah, yes, Benjamin Franklin. Very important to the Republic. Franklin and I weren't particularly close. He was nearly 50 years older than me, after all.

[Narrator]

And that's one reason why Franklin doesn't appear in the Hamilton musical. But both have been on US Currency for many years. So who was on the money first, Hamilton or Franklin? If you said Hamilton, you're right. In fact, Alexander Hamilton has appeared on more US Money denominations than anyone else, including the President's. Whoa. We all know he's now on the $10 bill. But Hamilton has also been on $2 bills, $5 bills, $20 bills, and more. And Hamilton's portrait was on the very first piece of paper currency issued by the federal government.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Is that so? I never saw my image on paper money.

[Narrator]

That's because the federal government didn't start issuing paper money until 1861. Some 57 years after you were shot and killed.

[Alexander Hamilton]

E gads I get shot?

[Narrator]

You've been dead for more than 200 years. I thought you'd know that by now.

[Alexander Hamilton]

But what about those who haven't seen the play yet? Spoiler alert.

[Narrator]

Yeah, I know, but it's mentioned at the very beginning of the play, and again, it's been over 200 years. It's kinda hard to keep that a secret. But we're not up to that point yet.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Good.

[Narrator]

Let's not rush that, smarty pants. Do you remember how Hamilton said he was an orphan living in the Caribbean? Around what age was he when he left home for the American colonies? Was he 16, 25 or 32? The answer is 16.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Yep, just a boy.

[Narrator]

And what city did he arrive in? Boston, New York or Philadelphia? The answer is New York.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Yes, in New York, I could be a new man. Folks in the Caribbean were impressed with my writing and accounting skills, so they raised enough money for me to go to college in the city. Of course I went. This was a big opportunity and I was not throwing away my shot.

[Narrator]

Uh, you sure you don't want any music under that?

[Alexander Hamilton]

You'll see. My story is better without the music. Just you wait. Just you wait.

[Narrator]

Right, smartypants. When Hamilton arrived in New York, the year was 1773. Just three years later, in 1776, the American colonies would be at war with Great Britain. Smarty pants, what was this war called? A, the Civil War, B, World War I, or C, the American Revolution? Why, of course it's C, the American Revolution. Hamilton was heavily involved in this revolution, first by writing pamphlets defending the colonists against the British, and then by fighting in the war himself.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Yes, I was quite skilled in battle and after just a year of war, I earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Continental Army. But that wasn't enough for me. You could say I'm never satisfied. No, no, no, no, no. I said no.

[Narrator]

MUSIC Hamilton's bravery during the war caught the attention of a certain general. Smarty pants. Any idea who was it? A, Aaron Burr, B, Andrew Jackson, or C, George Washington?

[Alexander Hamilton]

Don't talk to me about Aaron Burr.

[Narrator]

Um, I can't promise that. But we're not there yet. The answer is C. General George Washington. Hamilton became Washington's assistant and wrote lots of letters on his behalf. Washington trusted Hamilton and even had him command some of the forces at the Battle of Yorktown, an American victory that essentially ended the Revolutionary War.

[Alexander Hamilton]

We had to rise up because history had its eyes on us.

[Narrator]

Uh huh. Word got around about Hamilton's heroics and suddenly this little known Caribbean immigrant became an American celebrity. Hamilton jumped into politics, representing New York at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. That same year, he and fellow patriots John Jay and James Madison wrote a series of articles to convince people to support the new Constitution which would create the United States government. These essays were published in local newspapers and became Hamilton's most famous works. Smarty pants. Do you know what these essays are called? Are they A, the Federalist Papers, B, the Pentagon Papers or C, the Constitution Papers? The answer is A, the Federalist papers. Altogether, these three men wrote 85 essays. How many of these do you suppose Hamilton wrote? Was it 15, 36 or 51? The answer is 51.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Just like my country, I was young, strappy and hungry. I'd write day and night like I was running out of time.

[Narrator]

Are you sure you don't want music?

[Alexander Hamilton]

No, no music.

[Narrator]

If you say so. Anyway, the Constitution was ratified or approved and in 1789, George Washington was elected as the first President of the United States. Washington in turn appointed his trusted friend Alexander Hamilton to be. That's right, the first U.S. treasury secretary.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Yes, I was in the room where members of the cabinet debated ideas and created new government policy.

[Narrator]

You mean the room where it happens?

[Alexander Hamilton]

No music.

[Narrator]

Right, no music. Under Hamilton's leadership, the US government developed a strong national bank and set the foundation for what would eventually become today's Federal Reserve System, which, among other things, controls the money supply, including the Hamilton.

[Alexander Hamilton]

$10 bill which appeared after I was shot.

[Narrator]

Yes, you had strong opinions and made quite a few enemies over the years. Some of your most famous arguments were against Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson and Vice President Aaron Burr. There's that name Again, sorry I have to mention him. Smarty pants. Do you know why I have to mention Aaron Burr? I hear some of you know, but if you don't know or you aren't sure, the reason Hamilton doesn't like that name is coming right up after a quick break and a word from our sponsors. Hey guys, it's trusty. Summer break is here and while the kids are thrilled, a lot of parents are quietly wondering how do we keep their brains from going totally mush? That's where IXL comes in. IXL is an award winning online learning platform that fits seamlessly into your homeschool routine or your summer rhythm. Whether your child is catching up, staying sharp, or getting a head start, IXL makes learning feel natural and fun, not like more school. What I love most is that it's flexible and personalized. Whether your kid is brushing up on third grade math or diving into middle school reading, IXL meets them right where they are and lets them move at their own pace. It also saves you time. Everything's organized by grade and subject with real time feedback, progress tracking and step by step video tutorials that explain mistakes without judgment, just growth. So make an impact on your child's learning even when school's not in session. Get IXL now and who Smarted listeners get an exclusive 20% off IXL when you sign up [e-mail] smarted. That's ixl.com smarted this episode is brought to you by Squarespace. Summer is the perfect time to finally take a few hours and launch that business. Seriously, if you've been sitting on an idea, Squarespace makes it feel not just doable, but exciting. I used it to build a site for one of our projects and what really surprised me was Blueprint, their AI powered site builder. You type in a few details about what you're creating and boom, you've got a beautiful personalized website layout in minutes. Plus, if you're offering services like coaching or teaching or consulting, Squarespace has tools built right in online payments, scheduling, even branded invoices. You can literally go from idea to income without ever leaving the platform. So if you've been waiting for the right moment, this is it. No more if only I knew how to build a site or if I only had the time. Now you've got both, thanks to Squarespace, and at a price that's right for any small business. So head to squarespace.com smarted for a free trial and when you're ready to launch, use code smarted to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Hey, smarty friends. Trusty here. I grew up on the Smurfs Saturday mornings, cereal in hand, glued to the screen. So, yeah, I cannot wait for this. Smurfs is back. And this time it's bigger, bolder, and bursting with magic. Blue Magic. When Papa Smurf is taken by two seriously evil wizards, it's up to Smurfette, voiced by Rihanna, to lead the rescue mission into the real world. Along the way, the Smurfs discover that saving the universe means trusting something they've never relied on before. Magic. The music.

[Trusty]

All new.

[Narrator]

Rihanna. Cardi B. DJ Khaled. Yes, please. And the cast is stacked. James Corden, Daniel Levy. Sandra oh. Octavia Spencer, Kurt Russell, John Goodman. Honestly, it's wild. It's got everything. Laughs, heart, music, and that classic Smurf spirit that I've loved forever. It's perfect for the whole family or anyone who remembers what it felt like to believe in a little blue world full of hope. Just like I did. Smurfs hits theaters July 18th. I'll be there. Hope you will, too. Now back to who smarted. Okay, smarty pants, as you heard, every time I mention the name Aaron Burr, my friend Alexander Hamilton gets upset.

[Alexander Hamilton]

I would say more than upset.

[Narrator]

Do you know why the name Aaron Burr upsets Hamilton so much? Is it because A, he owed him a lot of money? B, he stole Hamilton's girlfriend? Or C, he shot and killed Hamilton in a duel? Unfortunately for Hamilton, the answer is C. On July 11, 1804, in Weehawken, New Jersey, Vice President Aaron Burr and Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton faced off in a duel. And Alexander Hamilton became the only Founding Father to be shot and killed by a vice president.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Really? The only one?

[Narrator]

Yep. Just you, huh?

[Alexander Hamilton]

What a useless fact.

[Narrator]

Maybe. But it is a fact. Unlike some of the things in the Hamilton musical.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Wait, what are you saying?

[Narrator]

I'm saying that while the Hamilton musical was hugely successful both critically and commercially, and is now performed on stages around the world and also streaming on Disney, and while it is mostly factual according to many historians, and includes many quotes from Hamilton's actual writings.

[Alexander Hamilton]

There may be.

[Narrator]

Some things that got a little, shall we say, embellished, E. Gads.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Like what?

[Narrator]

Well, for one thing, it's been said that the musical makes you way more likable than you were in real life.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Oh, really?

[Narrator]

And they say Thomas Jefferson wasn't as irritating as he appears on stage.

[Alexander Hamilton]

What do they know?

[Narrator]

And the play makes you a strong opponent of slavery.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Well, I did help form an anti slavery group.

[Narrator]

Yeah, but beyond that, you didn't fight very much against it.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Uh huh, uh huh. What else is there?

[Narrator]

The timing of certain events, even your shooting were changed to move the play along. And some characters, like Aaron Burr, do things in the show that others did in real life. And while you and Burr were rivals, Burr wasn't there every step of the way.

[Trusty]

True.

[Alexander Hamilton]

But he did shoot me.

[Narrator]

Yes, that part is true. And one other thing. While the Hamilton musical is praised for featuring people from many different races and cultures, the characters they portray were mostly white in real life. However, critics say the play ignores the stories of people of other races who contributed to the American Revolution. People like Bunker Hill hero Salem Poor and Cato, an enslaved man who helped Hamilton's friend Hercules Mulligan spy on the British.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Hey, nobody or no play is perfect.

[Narrator]

Also true. And despite those issues, most critics overwhelmingly agree that the play is groundbreaking and captures so much of that era, not the least of which was transforming a forgotten founding father into a modern day hit. In fact, before the musical became popular, there was even talk about taking hamilton off the $10 bill.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Egads, is that true?

[Narrator]

Would a trusty narrator lie? But here's the thing, smarty pants. The Hamilton musical is just a starting point. There are many other works you can read and watch to get a complete picture of who lives, who dies, and who tells Hamilton's story.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Alexander, please no music.

[Narrator]

Yeah, that's probably for the best. A super smarty shout out to a super smarty family. Miles Langston, older sister Joy and mom Erica, who all love joining us for wild who Smarted adventures anytime they get in the car. Oh, thanks for that. We just love sharing science and history with you. Here's to lots more smarting in the future. This episode Hamilton was written by Dave De Lafayette Beaudry and voiced by Mike Myshot, Prince Prevetti and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound designed by Josh Hercules Hahn. Our associate producer is Max Constitution Komaski. The theme song is by Brian Schuyler Sister Suarez. Lyrics written and performed by Adam Burr. Sir Davis who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colber. This has been an Atomic Audio production.

[Trusty]

Who Smarted.