Aaron Burr

Born: February 6, 1756 Died: September 9, 1836

Aaron Burr was born on February 6, 1756 in Newark, New Jersey. He became orphaned when he was only a child. His father was a founder of what would later be known as Princeton University, and from a young age Aaron Burr prepared to go to college. He applied at 11 years old, but was denied admission. However, only two years later at age 13 he was accepted into the college as a sophomore and he graduated in just three years. 

After college Burr joined the army and served effectively in a variety of posts. This ended, however, when he resigned his commission in 1779 due to impaired health, exhaustion, and exposure. 

Burr then moved to New York City, where he practiced law. He became a politician and defeated Phillip Schuyler, who was Hamilton's father in law, in a senate election. This caused Hamilton to have unrelenting hatred for him that would continue for several years. Not only did Burr not get along with Hamilton, he also couldn’t get along with George Washington. Unlike Burr, Washington was stiff and humorless. Burr was opposed to Hamilton's financial system and the Jay treaty, however, he did not completely support Jefferson either. 

Burr decided to run for president in the election of 1800. He tied with Jefferson but Burr ended up becoming vice president while Jefferson became president. At the same time Burr grew even more angry with Hamilton because he did not endorse him in the election. He ended up getting involved in a duel with him that he survived but Hamilton did not. After this duel Burr never really came back together. While he was in office, both Federalists and Jeffersonians, who generally had very different views, had doubts about Burr. He was not reelected because he promoted legislation in order to help a bank company in which he had financial interests. 

Burr was married to Theodosia Prevost, who was a widow. They had a daughter who was also named Theodosia that Burr was very close to. However, she died at age 29. After her death Burr grieved very deeply. 

Theodosia Prevost died in 1794 of stomach cancer. After her death Burr remarried to a woman named Eliza Jumel, whom he later divorced.

Burr died on September 14, 1836 under the care of his cousin after having several strokes.