This Founding Father came to America alone at age 15. He fought at Washington's side in the Revolution, helped ensure the ratification of the Constitution, and saved the fledgling United States from financial ruin.
George Washington, who led America through the Revolution and became its first president, might well have remained a Virginia farmer if the policies of King George III of England had not intervened.
Alexander Hamilton's father-in-law, Philip Schuyler was defeated in one of the earliest clashes between Hamilton and Aaron Burr — the 1791 battle for one of New York's seats in the U.S. Senate.
