50 Fun Facts About Hamilton

Who wrote the book, music, and lyrics for the musical Hamilton?

Lin-Manuel Miranda created Hamilton, writing the book, music, and lyrics. He was inspired after reading Ron Chernow's 2004 biography of Alexander Hamilton.

Which song from Hamilton includes the lyric "I am not throwing away my shot"?

"My Shot" is Hamilton's signature anthem in Act 1, where he declares his determination to seize every opportunity. The phrase became one of the musical's most iconic lines.

In Hamilton, who plays the dual role of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson?

Daveed Diggs originated both roles in the original Broadway cast, winning a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performances.

How many Tony Awards did Hamilton win at the 2016 ceremony?

Hamilton won 11 Tony Awards at the 2016 ceremony, out of a record-setting 16 nominations. It won Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Book, and many other categories.

Which streaming platform released the filmed version of Hamilton in 2020?

The filmed version of Hamilton with the original Broadway cast was released on Disney+ on July 3, 2020. It was originally planned for a theatrical release in October 2021 but was moved up due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Which actor originated the role of Aaron Burr in Hamilton on Broadway?

Leslie Odom Jr. originated the role of Aaron Burr and won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in 2016.

What is the opening number of Hamilton?

"Alexander Hamilton" opens the show with the full company introducing Hamilton's origin story — an orphan, immigrant, and self-made man from the Caribbean island of Nevis.

Which Schuyler sister does Hamilton marry in the musical?

Alexander Hamilton marries Elizabeth "Eliza" Schuyler, the middle Schuyler sister. Their relationship and its challenges are a central thread of the musical.

What book inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda to create the musical Hamilton?

Miranda read Ron Chernow's 818-page biography "Alexander Hamilton" (2004) while on vacation in 2008 and immediately saw the hip-hop musical potential in Hamilton's life story.

Which Hamilton song features the lyric "I'm just like my country, I'm young, scrappy, and hungry"?

This lyric comes from "My Shot," where Hamilton describes himself with the same youthful energy and ambition as the fledgling United States.

What is the final song in Act 1 of Hamilton?

"Non-Stop" closes Act 1, chronicling Hamilton's relentless post-war work ethic — writing 51 of the 85 Federalist Papers, practicing law, and being appointed Treasury Secretary.

In the musical, which character sings "Wait for It"?

"Wait for It" is Aaron Burr's defining solo, revealing his philosophy of patience and strategic restraint — the polar opposite of Hamilton's impulsive ambition.

Which actor played King George III in the original Broadway cast of Hamilton?

Jonathan Groff played King George III, bringing comedic brilliance to the role with his British pop ballads that contrast with the hip-hop style of the rest of the show.

What genre of music primarily influences Hamilton's score?

Hamilton's score is primarily rooted in hip-hop and R&B, though it also incorporates jazz, pop, and traditional Broadway styles. Miranda used rap to convey the speed of Hamilton's mind and writing.

Which character sings "You'll Be Back" in Hamilton?

King George III sings "You'll Be Back," a satirical British pop love song addressed to the American colonies. It's styled as a breakup song about the colonies leaving the British Empire.

Where did Hamilton first debut before transferring to Broadway?

Hamilton premiered Off-Broadway at The Public Theater in January 2015, running from January 20 to May 3 before transferring to the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in August 2015.

Which Hamilton song is about the secret affair between Alexander Hamilton and Maria Reynolds?

"Say No to This" dramatizes the beginning of Hamilton's affair with Maria Reynolds in 1791, which would later become America's first major political sex scandal.

Which original Broadway cast member of Hamilton played both Hercules Mulligan and James Madison?

Okieriete "Oak" Onaodowan doubled as the boisterous spy Hercules Mulligan in Act 1 and the reserved James Madison in Act 2.

What award did Hamilton win at the 2016 Grammy Awards?

The Hamilton cast recording won Best Musical Theater Album at the 2016 Grammys. The album had also debuted at #12 on the Billboard 200, a rare feat for a cast recording.

In the musical, what is the name of Hamilton and Eliza's son who dies in a duel?

Philip Hamilton dies in a duel with George Eacker in 1801, at just 19 years old. His death is depicted in the song "Blow Us All Away" and deeply affects both Hamilton and Eliza in the musical.

What event does Lin-Manuel Miranda credit as the first public performance of Hamilton material?

Miranda performed an early version of what would become the opening number at a White House Poetry Jam on May 12, 2009, telling the audience he was working on a "hip-hop concept album" about Alexander Hamilton. The video went viral years later.

Which Broadway theater has been the home of Hamilton since its 2015 opening?

Hamilton opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on West 46th Street on August 6, 2015, and has been performing there ever since (with a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic).

Which Hamilton song uses the metaphor of a room to describe political deal-making?

"The Room Where It Happens" is Burr's Act 2 showstopper about the 1790 Compromise Dinner, where Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison made a secret deal to move the capital to D.C. in exchange for Hamilton's financial plan.

What Pulitzer Prize did Hamilton win in 2016?

Hamilton won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, one of only nine musicals to ever win the award. The Pulitzer board cited it as a musical that uses hip-hop to tell the story of a founding father.

What was Lin-Manuel Miranda's previous Broadway musical before Hamilton?

In the Heights, Miranda's first Broadway musical, debuted in 2008 and won four Tony Awards including Best Musical. It's set in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.

On which Caribbean island was Alexander Hamilton born?

Alexander Hamilton was born on the island of Nevis in the British West Indies on January 11, 1755 (or 1757 — the exact year is disputed). He later moved to St. Croix before coming to the American colonies.

What position did Alexander Hamilton hold in George Washington's first cabinet?

Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury, serving from 1789 to 1795. He established the nation's financial system, including the First Bank of the United States and the U.S. Mint.

Who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel?

Vice President Aaron Burr shot and mortally wounded Hamilton in a duel at Weehawken, New Jersey, on July 11, 1804. Hamilton died the following day at age 47 (or 49).

Which collection of essays did Alexander Hamilton co-author to promote ratification of the U.S. Constitution?

Hamilton co-authored The Federalist Papers with James Madison and John Jay. Hamilton wrote 51 of the 85 essays, making him by far the most prolific contributor to this influential defense of the Constitution.

Which U.S. bill features Alexander Hamilton's portrait?

Alexander Hamilton has been featured on the $10 bill since 1929. In 2015, the Treasury announced plans to replace him with Harriet Tubman, but after Hamilton the musical's success, the plan was revised to keep Hamilton on the front.

During the Revolutionary War, what role did Alexander Hamilton serve under George Washington?

Hamilton served as Washington's chief aide-de-camp (senior aide) from 1777 to 1781, handling correspondence, intelligence, and diplomacy. He later commanded a battalion at the decisive Battle of Yorktown.

What financial institution did Alexander Hamilton establish in 1791?

Hamilton championed the creation of the First Bank of the United States in 1791, modeled partly on the Bank of England. It was controversial but helped stabilize the new nation's finances and establish credit.

Where did the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr take place?

The duel took place on the morning of July 11, 1804, on a narrow ledge above the Hudson River in Weehawken, New Jersey. Dueling was illegal in New York, so participants commonly crossed to New Jersey.

Which political party did Alexander Hamilton help found?

Hamilton was a key founder of the Federalist Party, which advocated for a strong central government, a national bank, and close ties with Britain. It opposed Thomas Jefferson's Democratic-Republican Party.

What was the name of the scandal involving Hamilton's affair, which he publicly confessed to in a pamphlet?

In 1797, Hamilton published what became known as "The Reynolds Pamphlet," a 95-page document in which he confessed to his affair with Maria Reynolds to clear himself of charges of financial corruption.

Who was Alexander Hamilton's wife?

Hamilton married Elizabeth "Eliza" Schuyler in 1780. She was the daughter of General Philip Schuyler, one of the wealthiest men in New York. Eliza lived to age 97 and spent her final decades preserving Hamilton's legacy.

At which decisive Revolutionary War battle did Hamilton lead a key infantry charge?

Hamilton led one of three battalions in the assault on Redoubt 10 at the Battle of Yorktown in October 1781. The victory at Yorktown effectively ended the Revolutionary War.

Which college did Alexander Hamilton attend?

Hamilton attended King's College in New York City, which was renamed Columbia University after the Revolution. He enrolled in 1773, though his studies were interrupted by the Revolutionary War.

What was Alexander Hamilton's role at the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

Hamilton served as one of New York's three delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. However, the other two New York delegates left early, limiting his influence. He signed the Constitution as the sole New York representative.

How many of the 85 Federalist Papers did Alexander Hamilton write?

Hamilton authored 51 of the 85 Federalist Papers, making him by far the most prolific contributor. James Madison wrote 29, John Jay wrote 5, and Hamilton and Madison co-wrote 3.

What economic plan did Hamilton propose that involved the federal government assuming state debts from the Revolutionary War?

Hamilton's Assumption Plan proposed that the federal government take on ("assume") the war debts of individual states. It was deeply controversial — states like Virginia that had paid their debts opposed subsidizing those that hadn't.

What newspaper did Alexander Hamilton found in 1801 that is still published today?

Hamilton founded the New York Evening Post in 1801 to promote Federalist views. It is now known as the New York Post and remains in publication, making it one of the oldest continuously published newspapers in the United States.

What happened to Alexander Hamilton's mother, Rachel Faucette, when he was a child?

Rachel Faucette Buck died of yellow fever on February 19, 1768, when Alexander was about 13. Hamilton himself was also ill with the fever at the same time but survived. Her death left him an orphan.

Which 1791 tax championed by Hamilton led to an armed uprising in western Pennsylvania?

Hamilton's excise tax on distilled spirits led to the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. President Washington personally led 13,000 militia troops to suppress the uprising — the first and only time a sitting president led troops in the field.

In the contentious presidential election of 1800, Hamilton influenced the outcome by supporting which candidate over Aaron Burr?

When the 1800 election resulted in an Electoral College tie between Jefferson and Burr, Hamilton lobbied Federalist congressmen to vote for Jefferson, his political rival, calling Burr dangerous and unprincipled. This deepened the Hamilton-Burr feud.

What organization did Eliza Hamilton co-found in 1806, two years after Alexander's death?

Eliza co-founded the New York Orphan Asylum Society in 1806, which became the first private orphanage in New York City. Given that Alexander was himself an orphan, the cause was deeply personal to her.

Which rapper's style was cited by Lin-Manuel Miranda as a key influence on Hamilton's rapid-fire delivery?

Miranda has cited Eminem as a major influence, particularly for the rapid wordplay and internal rhyme schemes. The character of Hamilton raps faster than any other character, mirroring Hamilton's legendary pace of writing and thinking.

How much did Disney reportedly pay to acquire the streaming rights for the filmed Hamilton?

Disney paid a reported $75 million for the worldwide streaming rights to the filmed version of Hamilton. The deal was struck in February 2020, and the film was fast-tracked to Disney+ during the pandemic.

What was the name of the compromise, dramatized in Hamilton, where the national capital's location was traded for Hamilton's financial plan?

The Compromise of 1790 (also called the Dinner Table Bargain) was brokered over dinner between Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison. Hamilton got support for his federal debt assumption plan, while the capital would move from New York to a new site on the Potomac River (Washington, D.C.).

Which actress originated the role of Angelica Schuyler in the original Broadway cast of Hamilton?

Renee Elise Goldsberry originated the role of Angelica Schuyler and won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Her performance of "Satisfied," which rewinds time, is considered one of the musical's most impressive numbers.