Alexander Morgan Hamilton Explained

Alexander Morgan Hamilton
Birth Date:25 January 1903
Birth Place:New York City, New York, U.S.
Death Place:London, England
Education:St. Paul's School (1921)
Alma Mater:Harvard University (1924)
Occupation:Philanthropist
Party:Republican
Spouse:
Parents:William Pierson Hamilton
Juliet Pierpont Morgan
Relations:Helen M. Hamilton (sister)
Pierpont Hamilton (brother)
J. P. Morgan (grandfather)
John Hamilton (great-grandfather)
Alexander Hamilton (great-great grandfather)
Allegiance: United States
Rank:Major
Branch:Marine Corps
Battles:World War II

Alexander Morgan Hamilton (January 25, 1903 – May 29, 1970) was an American philanthropist and civil servant. He was the grandson of J. P. Morgan the financier, and great-great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.

Early life

Alexander Morgan Hamilton was born on January 25, 1903, in New York City to William Pierson Hamilton (1869–1950) and Juliet Pierpont Morgan (1870–1952), one of four children born to John Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913), the financier.[1] Through his paternal grandfather, William Gaston Hamilton (1832–1913), and his great-grandfather, John Church Hamilton, he was the great-great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton, the first United States Secretary of the Treasury, and Elizabeth Schuyler (1757–1854). His siblings included Helen Morgan Hamilton (1896–1985),[2] Pierpont Morgan Hamilton (1898–1982), and Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton (1908–1919).[3]

In 1921, he graduated from St. Paul's School, and from Harvard University in 1924.[4]

Career

After graduation, Hamilton worked for a newspaper publisher, a Wall Street banking firm, and even tried his hand at producing motion pictures. In 1930, Hamilton ran an unsuccessful campaign for a State Senate seat in the 16th District of New York as a Republican.[5] He served as the chairman of the board of the New York Young Republican Club.

Hamilton went on to serve as the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Markets in New York City, earning a $1 a day, until a disagreement with Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia forced his resignation.[6] He later went on to serve as an Assistant to the Commissioner of Sanitation. During World War II, he served as a Major in the United States Marine Corps.

He served for over 15 years as the President of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, one of the oldest historic preservation groups in the United States. Under his leadership, the group assisted in preserving Hamilton Grange, the historic summer house of his great-great-grandfather, and oversaw its transfer to the National Park Service.

Personal life

Hamilton was married twice. The first marriage was on June 12, 1930, to Katherine Comly (d. 1975),[7] the daughter of Maj. Garrard Comly at St. Elizabeth's Chapel, Sterlington, New York, near Tuxedo Park.[8] Katherine's sister, Lanier Comly,[9] who married John Murray Mitchell,[10] was the mother of J. Murray Mitchell Jr. (1928–1990).[11] They divorced in 1935[12] [13] and she later married James Bogart Tailer in 1936,[14] and after their divorce, to George Townsend Adee (1874–1948),[15] [7] in 1946.[16]

On December 26, 1935, the same day his divorce to his first wife was finalized in Reno, Nevada, he married the widow, Elizabeth Malcolm Peltz Warburton Wanamaker (1905–1988). Elizabeth, the daughter of George M. Dallas Peltz (d. 1929), was first married in May 1923 to Edgerton Warburton. They divorced and in August 1932, she married Warburton's cousin, Captain John Wanamaker Jr., son of Rodman Wanamaker and grandson of John Wanamaker. Wanamaker died on November 29, 1934.[17] [18] [19]

Hamilton died of emphysema, on May 29, 1970, while on vacation in London.[20]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: J. PIERPONT MORGAN DEAD IN ROME; FINANCIER WORN OUT BY OVERWORK; WORLD PAYS TRIBUTE; STOCKS UNSHAKEN Body Has Been Embalmed and Will Be Brought Here. UNCONSCIOUS NEAR END Mr. Morgan Could Not Retain Nourishment Even When Artificially Administered. PUJO INQUIRY IS BLAMED But Dr. Starr's View of the Origin of the Illness Is Scouted In Washington. POPE GREATLY DISTRESSED Kaiser and King Victor Send Condolences - Rome Festivities Canceled. NO CHANGES IN THE FIRM Son Long Trained To Take Father's Place - Associates Give High Praise to Dead Financier.. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. April 1, 1913. en.
  2. News: Helen H. Burgess Dies at 88; Historic Preservation Leader. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. 28 January 1985.
  3. News: Waggoner. Walter H.. P.M. HAMILTON, 83, DIES ON THE COAST. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. 16 March 1982.
  4. Web site: Guide to the Alexander Morgan Hamilton Family Photograph Collection. New York Historical Society. 25 September 2014.
  5. News: Alexander Hamilton's Descendant Seeking Gotham Senate Seat. Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 9. August 30, 1930.
  6. News: Alexander Hamilton Quits as Market Deputy. New York Herald Tribune. 19. November 28, 1935.
  7. News: Deaths. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. 15 June 1975.
  8. News: KATHERINE COMLY WEDS A. HAMILTON; Her Marriage to Nephew of J. Pierpont Morgan a Surprise to Society. IN CHAPEL NEAR TUXEDO Bride Attended by Her Sister and Bridegroom by His Brother-- Only Relatives Present.. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. 13 June 1930.
  9. Book: Social Register, New York. May 1920. Social Register Association. 10 March 2017. en.
  10. News: Weddings. 10 March 2017. Brooklyn Life. June 28, 1919. en.
  11. News: McFadden. Robert D.. J. Murray Mitchell, Climatologist Who Foresaw Warming Peril, 62. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. 8 October 1990.
  12. News: MRS. A. HAMILTON IN RENO.; Former Katherine Comly to Divorce Morgan Grandson.. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. 16 November 1935.
  13. News: ALEXANDER HAMILTON IS DIVORCED IN RENO; Former Miss Katherine Comly Wins Decree and Property Agreement on Cruelty Charge.. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. 27 December 1935.
  14. News: MRS. HAMILTON WED TO JAMES B. TAILER; Former Katherine Comly Bride at Home of Her Sister in Tuxedo Park.. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. 20 July 1936.
  15. News: GEORGE ADEE DIES; YALE ALUMNUS, 74 All-America Back in '94 Led U.S. Tennis in 1916-20 -- Brokerage Firm Partner. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. 1 August 1948.
  16. News: MRS. K.C. TAILER ENGAGED TO WED; Former Katherine Comly Will Be Bride of George T. Adee, Brokerage Firm Partner. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. 19 November 1946.
  17. News: MRS. WANAMAKER BECOMES A BRIDE; Widow of Capt. John Wanamaker Jr. Is Married to Alexander Hamilton. IN A SIMPLE CEREMONY Municipal Court Justice Garside Officiates. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. 29 December 1935.
  18. News: Fights Wanamaker Tax Claim. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. 8 January 1941.
  19. News: WANAMAKER'S ESTATE REPORTED INSOLVENT; Shrinkage in Assets Left by John Jr. Revealed in Ruling by Court on Book Legacy.. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. 1 January 1937.
  20. News: Alexander Hamilton Dies at 67; Aide in Conservation Activities. 10 March 2017. The New York Times. 30 May 1970.