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- This article is about the U.S. Vice President. For the second president of Princeton University and father of this vice president, see Rev. Aaron Burr, Sr..
Aaron Burr, Jr. (February 6, 1756 – September 14, 1836) was an American politician and adventurer. He was a major formative member of the Democratic-Republican Party in New York and a strong supporter of Governor George Clinton. He is remembered not so much for his tenure as the third Vice President, under Thomas Jefferson, as for his duel with Alexander Hamilton and his trial and acquittal on charges of treason.
Early life
Burr was born in Newark, New Jersey, to the Rev. Aaron Burr, Sr., who was the second president of the College of New Jersey, now Princeton University; his mother, Esther Edwards was the daughter of Jonathan Edwards, the famous Calvinist theologian. He originally studied theology at Princeton University, but abandoned it two years later and began the study of law in the celebrated law school conducted by his brother-in-law, Tapping Reeve, at Litchfield, Connecticut. His studies were put on hold while he served during the Revolutionary War, under Gens. Benedict Arnold, George Washington, and Israel Putnam. More on [ Aaron Burr ]
Aaron Burr - Encyclopedia Americana - Remembered more for his duel with Alexander Hamilton, which resulted in the latter's death, and for his schemes of empire, which resulted in his trial and acquittal on charges of treason.
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The American Experience: The Duel - The story of Burr's rivalry with Alexander Hamilton, culminating in the most famous duel in American history. Companion to a PBS documentary.
Meta Description: [ A bitter rivalry between two of the Founding Fathers -- Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr -- culminated in the most famous duel in American history. ]
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