Annotation Alexander Hamilton has been the focus of debate from his day to ours. On the one hand, Hamilton was the quintessential Founding Father, playing a central role in every key debate and event in the Revolutionary and Early Republic eras. Who was he really and what is his legacy? Was Hamilton a closet monarchist or a sincere republican?

Complex, passionate, brilliant, flawed—Alexander Hamilton comes alive in this exciting biography. He was born out of wedlock on a small island in the West Indies and orphaned as a teenager. From those inauspicious circumstances, he rose to a position of power and influence in colonial America. Discover this founding father's incredible true story: his brilliant scholarship and military career; his groundbreaking and enduring policy, which shapes American government today; his salacious and scandalous personal life; his heartrending end. Richly informed by Hamilton's own writing, with archival artwork and new illustrations, this is an in-depth biography of an extraordinary man.

Long considered the forgotten founding father and primarily known for the duel with Aaron Burr that ended his life, Alexander Hamilton has recently achieved a new level of fame because of the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, inspired by the New York Times best-selling biography by acclaimed historian Ron Chernow. Now the editors of TIME present this special edition that celebrates Hamilton and his many accomplishments: as one of the primary architects of the Constitution, an aide and counsel to General George Washington, and the first secretary of the Treasury, as well as his intense, long-standing rivalry with Thomas Jefferson and how it affects our government to this day. Also included in this fully illustrated edition are “Six Things You Didn’t Know About Alexander Hamilton,” an interview with Chernow, the making of the Broadway musical, why Hamilton’s days on the $10 bill are numbered, and much more. TIME brings keen insight to the improbable life of the illegitimate son of a Caribbean merchant who would go on to help shape our nation, lay the foundation for the modern economy, and become the inspiration for a musical that is inspiring Americans to interpret history in an entirely new way.

Find out more about this famous Founding Father! With his face on the ten-dollar bill and an award-winning musical about his life, it's clear that Alexander Hamilton's story is one worth telling. Despite feeling like an outsider, Hamilton fought hard to form a united nation with a strong central government--and many of his ideas are still relevant today! With this illustrated leveled reader, kids can learn more about the man who, in many ways, was a true American hero.

Alexander Hamilton was George Washington's right-hand man and Thomas Jefferson's most notable rival. He was the beloved husband of Eliza Schuyler and the victim of Aaron Burr's fury. Learn all about the fascinating life of this influential Founding Father. Developed by Timothy Rasinski and featuring TIME content, this high-interest biography includes essential text features like an index, captions, glossary, and table of contents. The intriguing sidebars, detailed images, and in-depth Reader's Guide require students to connect back to the text and encourage multiple readings. The Think Link and Dig Deeper! sections develop students' higher-order thinking skills. The Check It Out! section includes suggested books, videos, and websites for further reading. Aligned with state standards, this title features complex and rigorous content appropriate for students preparing for college and career readiness.