The battle between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton was one of the most famous duels of the early 19th century. Both men were very important political leaders of the United States. The men had clashes throughout the 1790s which led to a duel between the two and Alexander Hamilton losing his life. Aaron Burr was born in New Jersey in 1756. He was involved in many political events throughout his life. He was the second president of Princeton and the grandson of Jonathon Edwards. This man was steeped in politics. While at the college in New Jersey, which later became Princeton, Burr studied theology, but soon switched his degree to law. Aaron Burr also served in the military, including during the Revolutionary War, but soon resigned after experiencing health problems. He was married for several years and had a child to die for as well as his wife. Although Burr had a difficult early life with the loss of his wife and daughter, he became very successful as a lawyer. His first contact with Alexander Hamilton was when he was in New York, and they shared a law practice. However, this would soon end as Aaron Burr was elected attorney general by New York Governor George Clinton, the latter being elected senator in 1791. He also served as the third vice president under Thomas Jefferson and an active member of the Democratic Party . Alexander Hamilton, for his part, grew up on an island in the West Indies. He was born in 1775. Hamilton had a thick skin as he grew into a young man. When he was a child, his family was on the verge of bankruptcy. As a child, he had very few opportunities to pursue his educational career. However, things changed by the time...... middle of paper...... Events. Aaron Burr. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/duel/peopleevents/pande01.html (accessed October 8, 2010). Prospect. “Alexander Hamilton.” The American perspective. http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=ialexander_hamilton_american/i_and_iduel/I (accessed November 7, 2010). Teaching American History. “the election of 1800”. From bullets to ballots. http://teachingamericanhistory.org/zvesper/ (accessed September 9, 2010). Home page of the American Revolution. “Alexander Hamilton.” Early life. http://americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/hamilt.htm (accessed October 9, 2010). United States Senate. “Aaron Burr, the 3rd Vice President.” Beginning of political career. http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP_Aaron_Burr.htm (accessed October 4, 2010). History of the United States. “Aaron Burr.” http://www.libs.uga.edu/ref/turabian2009.pdf (accessed November 1, 2010).