Many people were introduced to Eliza Hamilton through the hit Broadway musical Hamilton. While the show mainly tells the story of her husband, Alexander Hamilton, it also brings attention to Eliza’s life and work. So who was Eliza Hamilton? She was a loyal wife, a mother of eight, and a committed philanthropist. Much of what we know about her comes from other people’s accounts, since many of her own writings were lost over time. Eliza supported her husband’s political career and worked to protect his legacy after his death.She was active in social and political circles, even becoming close friends with Martha Washington.

Her life included deep personal losses—both her husband and son died in duels. Still, Eliza was known for her strength. She lived 50 more years after Alexander’s death and used that time to make a real difference. In 1806, she helped start New York City’s first private orphanage, and later founded a public school in Washington Heights.In her later years, she moved to Washington, D.C., raised money for the Washington Monument with Dolley Madison, and was honored as a guest at the White House. Eliza Hamilton lived to be 97 and left a lasting impact, even in a time when women’s contributions were often overlooked. Throughout America’s national development, women such as Eliza Hamilton were instrumental in improving their communities.  

Sources: 

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/hamilton-elizabeth-hamilton-1757-1854/ 

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/elizabeth-schuyler-hamilton.htm.  

 This blog was written by NeW Chapters Intern, Emma Barber.