Born in Newark, New Jersey, on February 6, 1756, Aaron Burr graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1772 and began to study law. Attracted by the Revolutionary War, Burr joined the Continental Army and served effectively in a variety of posts until March 1779. After establishing a successful legal practice in the booming town of Albany, New York, Burr moved in 1783 to New York City and developed a substantial reputation and income.

In 1791, Burr was elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating Philip Schuyler (1733-1804), Alexander Hamilton's fatherin- law. Burr and Hamilton had been political and professional rivals for some time. From 1797 to 1799, Burr served in the New York legislature. Burr was defeated by Thomas Jefferson in the 1800 presidential election, partly due to Hamilton's support for Jefferson. As the second-place vote-getter, Burr served as Jefferson's vice president until 1805. In 1804, he failed to be renominated and also lost in...