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• Aaron Burr was an American politician and Revolutionary war hero. He was one of the founding members of the Democratic-Republican Party and served as a U.S. Senator from 1791-1797.

  Burr was a candidate for President in 1800. He tied Thomas Jefferson with 73 electoral votes, which sent the election to the U.S. House of Representatives for a decision. Jefferson was elected President by the House, and Burr was elected to serve as his Vice President.

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: February 6, 1756 in Newark, New Jersey
  2. Spouse: Theodosia Bartow Prevost, Eliza Bowen Jemel
  3. Political Party: Democratic-Republican
  4. Notable Position Held: U.S. Senator (1791-1797), Vice President under Thomas Jefferson (1801-1805)
  5. Fought in the Revolutionary War
  6. Started the bank that later became Chase Manhattan
  7. Killed Alexander Hamilton in 1804 duel
  8. Chief Justice John Marshall presided over Burr's treason trial
  9. Died: September 14, 1836

• Timeline

  • February 6, 1756: Born

  • 1775 - 1779: Serves in Continental Army during Revolutionary War

  • 1789 - 1790: Serves as Attorney General of New York

  • 1791 - 1797: Serves as U.S. Senator from New York

  • 1800: Ties Jefferson for Presidency

  • 1801 - 1805: Serves as Vice President under Jefferson

  • 1804: Duel with Hamilton

  • 1807: Tried and acquitted for treason

  • 1812 - 1836: Practices law in New York

  • September 14, 1836: Dies

• The Duel

  In 1804, Burr famously challenged longtime political rival Alexander Hamilton to a duel. Hamilton was mortally wounded during the duel, and Burr was indicted for murder in both New York and New Jersey as a result. The charges were eventually dismissed, but Burr's political career had come to an end.

• Treason Trial

  Burr journeyed West following the end of his term as Vice President in 1805. It was during this time that Burr was accused of treason for conspiring to steal lands acquired during the Louisiana Purchase and crown himself a King or Emperor. While historians still debate exactly what happened, Burr did form a regiment of at least 200 men. He was arrested and tried for treason in 1807, but was acquitted. Following a self-imposed exile to Europe, Burr returned to New York City to practice law until his death in 1836.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  U.S. Senate | Republican Party | Thomas Jefferson | Alexander Hamilton | George Washington | John Marshall | Revolutionary War | New York | New Jersey

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