Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836
Name Entries
person
Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836
Computed Name Heading
Name Components
Surname :
Burr
Forename :
Aaron
Date :
1756-1836
eng
Latn
authorizedForm
rda
Genders
Male
Exist Dates
Biographical History
Aaron Burr Jr. (February 6, 1756 – September 14, 1836) was an American politician and lawyer. A Founding Father, he served as the third vice president of the United States during President Thomas Jefferson's first term from 1801 to 1805. His role in helping form the nation, however, would be overshadowed when he killed fellow Founding Father Alexander Hamilton in an 1804 duel. The duel led to the collapse of Burr's political career and tarnished his legacy in American history.
Burr was born to a prominent family in New Jersey, where he attended the College of New Jersey, now Princeton University. Amid Burr's law studies, he served as a Continental Army officer in the American Revolutionary War from 1775 until his resignation in 1779. After leaving the military, Burr returned to his law career in New York City.
He was elected twice to the New York State Assembly (1784–1785 and 1798–1799), was appointed Attorney General of New York (1789–1791), was chosen as a U.S. senator (1791–1797) from the State of New York. Burr was Jefferson's vice-presidential candidate on the 1800 Jeffersonian Republican ticket. An electoral college tie between Jefferson and Burr resulted in the House of Representatives deciding in Jefferson's favor. Although he maintained that he supported Jefferson, the president was highly suspicious of Burr. Consequently, Burr was essentially sidelined by Jefferson. Burr fatally shot his political rival Hamilton in an 1804 duel, during the last full year of his single term as vice president. Though the duel was illegal, he was never tried, and all charges against him eventually were dropped. Nevertheless, Hamilton's death ended Burr's political career.
Burr left Washington, D.C., and traveled west, seeking new opportunities, both economic and political; further, he left behind the controversy surrounding him in more cosmopolitan parts of the country. His activities eventually led to his arrest on charges of treason in 1807. He was tried multiple times, but acquitted; nevertheless, the fallout left him with large debts and few influential friends. To avoid vigilante execution, and further charges by the state, he left the United States for Europe. He remained overseas until 1812 when he returned to the United States to practice law in New York City. He spent the remainder of his life there, dying in relative obscurity.
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External Related CPF
https://id.loc.gov/authorities/n78086252
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10580569
https://viaf.org/viaf/57408702
https://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n78086252
https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q179090
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fre
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spa
Latn
eng
Latn
Subjects
Actions and defenses
Actions and defenses
Education
American history/Early national
American history/Revolution
Artists
Artists and patrons
Burr Conspiracy, 1805-1807
Burr Conspiracy, 1805-1807
Burr
Business enterprises
Collecting of accounts
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Debtor and creditor
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Travelers' writings, American
Trials (Treason)
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Americans
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New York
NY, US
AssociatedPlace
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Albany
NY, US
AssociatedPlace
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Port Richmond
NY, US
AssociatedPlace
Death
London
ENG, GB
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Elizabeth
NJ, US
AssociatedPlace
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Newark
NJ, US
AssociatedPlace
Birth
Philadelphia
PA, US
AssociatedPlace
Residence
Litchfield
CT, US
AssociatedPlace
Residence
Convention Declarations
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