Aaron Burr, American colonel and politician, 3rd Vice President of the United States (d. 1836)

Aaron Burr Jr.: A Complex Figure in Early American Politics

Aaron Burr Jr. (February 6, 1756 – September 14, 1836) was a prominent American lawyer and politician whose tumultuous career left an indelible mark on the nascent United States. He is best known for serving as the third Vice President of the United States from 1801 to 1805, a tenure overshadowed by his fatal duel with former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in 1804. This dramatic confrontation, which occurred while Burr held the nation's second-highest office, remains one of the most infamous personal conflicts in American political history, fundamentally defining his legacy.

Early Life and Revolutionary Service

Born into an exceptionally distinguished New Jersey family, Aaron Burr Jr. was the grandson of the renowned Puritan theologian Jonathan Edwards and the son of Aaron Burr Sr., the second president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). His parents died within a year of each other when he was very young, leaving him an orphan. Demonstrating precocious intellect, Burr entered the College of New Jersey at the remarkably young age of 13, graduating in 1772. He initially pursued theological studies, reflecting his family's legacy, but soon shifted his focus to law. In 1775, with the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, Burr quickly joined the Continental Army as an officer. He distinguished himself early for his bravery during Benedict Arnold's arduous expedition to Quebec and later served briefly on George Washington's staff before preferring field command. He eventually achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel before resigning due to ill health in 1779. Upon returning to civilian life, Burr established a highly successful law practice in New York City, swiftly becoming a leading figure in state politics. He was instrumental in organizing the Democratic-Republican Party in New York, which emerged as a formidable opposition to the Federalist Party, advocating for states' rights and a more agrarian vision for the nation.

As a New York Assemblyman in 1785, Burr notably supported a bill aimed at gradually abolishing slavery in the state. This stance was remarkable, particularly given that he himself had owned enslaved people, reflecting the complex and often contradictory views on slavery prevalent among founding-era leaders. In 1782, at age 26, Burr married Theodosia Bartow Prevost, a sophisticated and intellectual widow eleven years his senior. Their marriage, based on mutual respect and intellectual companionship, lasted twelve years until her death in 1794. They had one daughter, also named Theodosia, who was highly educated and became a close confidante to her father.

The 1800 Election and Vice Presidency

Burr's political ascent continued, culminating in his election to the U.S. Senate in 1791, where he served until 1797. During his time in the Senate, he became a notable critic of Federalist policies, often clashing with figures like Alexander Hamilton. The apex of Burr's national political career came in the pivotal 1800 presidential election. He ran as the Democratic-Republican vice-presidential candidate alongside presidential nominee Thomas Jefferson. Due to the constitutional design of the Electoral College at the time, which did not differentiate between votes for President and Vice President, both Jefferson and Burr received an identical number of electoral votes (73), resulting in an unexpected tie. This constitutional ambiguity thrust the election into the House of Representatives, where a contingent election was held to decide the presidency.

For 35 ballots, the House remained deadlocked. It was only on the 36th ballot that the impasse was broken, largely due to the unexpected intervention of Alexander Hamilton, who, despite his profound personal and political animosity towards Jefferson, viewed him as a lesser threat to the nation than Burr. Hamilton actively lobbied Federalist members of Congress to swing their votes to Jefferson, ensuring his victory. As a result, Jefferson became President, and Burr, having received the second-highest share of votes, automatically became his Vice President. While Burr publicly maintained his support for Jefferson, the President harbored deep suspicions about Burr's actions during the electoral deadlock. Consequently, Burr was largely sidelined during his vice presidency, excluded from key policy decisions and administrative functions, and was not re-nominated as Jefferson's running mate for the 1804 election.

The Fateful Duel with Alexander Hamilton

In his final year as Vice President, Aaron Burr's escalating rivalry with Alexander Hamilton reached its tragic climax. The long-standing animosity between the two men, fueled by political differences, personal slights, and public accusations, culminated in a challenge to a duel. The immediate catalyst was a published newspaper account that claimed Hamilton had expressed a "despicable opinion" of Burr at a dinner party. On July 11, 1804, in Weehawken, New Jersey—a site notorious for duels and eerily close to where Hamilton's eldest son, Philip, had been killed in a duel three years prior—Burr and Hamilton met. The encounter resulted in Hamilton being mortally wounded by Burr's shot. Hamilton died the following day. Although dueling was illegal in both New York and New Jersey, Burr fled to avoid immediate prosecution. He faced murder indictments in both states, but due to a combination of political maneuvering, technicalities, and a lack of sustained legal pursuit, he was never brought to trial, and all charges against him were eventually dropped. Nevertheless, the death of Alexander Hamilton ignited widespread public outrage and irrevocably shattered Burr's already fragile political career.

The Burr Conspiracy and Later Life

After the duel, with his political prospects in the East extinguished, Burr turned his gaze westward. He embarked on a mysterious venture into the American frontier, ostensibly seeking new economic opportunities, but his secretive activities soon aroused suspicion. In 1807, he was arrested in the Alabama Territory on charges of treason. What became known as the "Burr Conspiracy" was an alleged plot to create an independent country in the American Southwest, possibly involving parts of Spanish Mexico, with Burr at its head. Some speculated he intended to detach Western territories from the United States. He faced a highly publicized trial presided over by Chief Justice John Marshall in Richmond, Virginia. Marshall's strict interpretation of the Constitution's definition of treason—requiring two witnesses to an overt act—made a conviction exceptionally difficult. Despite the political pressure from President Jefferson, who was convinced of Burr's guilt, Burr was acquitted due to insufficient evidence meeting the constitutional standard for treason. This landmark case remains a significant precedent in American legal history regarding the definition of treason.

Acquitted but financially ruined and with few remaining influential allies, Burr chose to live as an expatriate in Europe, spending several years attempting to regain his fortune and influence. He returned to the United States in 1812 and, remarkably, resumed his law practice in New York City, albeit with a significantly diminished public profile. His later years were marked by further personal and financial struggles, including a brief, tumultuous second marriage to Eliza Jumel, a wealthy widow, which ended in divorce on the very day of his death. Handicapped by a stroke in 1834 and plagued by mounting debts, Aaron Burr Jr. died in a boarding house on September 14, 1836, at the age of 80, leaving behind a complex and enduringly controversial legacy as one of the most enigmatic figures of the early American republic.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aaron Burr Jr.

Who was Aaron Burr Jr.?

Aaron Burr Jr. was an American politician and lawyer who served as the third Vice President of the United States from 1801 to 1805. He is most famously known for his fatal duel with Alexander Hamilton in 1804.

When and where was Aaron Burr born?

Aaron Burr Jr. was born on February 6, 1756, in Newark, Province of New Jersey (part of present-day New Jersey).

What was Aaron Burr's role in the American Revolutionary War?

Aaron Burr served as an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, distinguishing himself for bravery in campaigns such as the Quebec expedition before resigning due to ill health in 1779.

What happened in the 1800 U.S. presidential election involving Burr?

In the 1800 election, Aaron Burr, running as Vice President, tied in electoral votes with presidential candidate Thomas Jefferson. This unintentional tie led to the election being decided by the House of Representatives, where Jefferson was ultimately chosen as President, and Burr became Vice President.

Why did Aaron Burr duel Alexander Hamilton?

The duel between Burr and Hamilton was the culmination of years of political and personal animosity, including Hamilton's public criticisms of Burr. The immediate cause was a newspaper article that quoted Hamilton expressing a "despicable opinion" of Burr, leading to Burr's challenge to a duel.

When and where did the Burr-Hamilton duel take place?

The duel occurred on July 11, 1804, in Weehawken, New Jersey. Alexander Hamilton was fatally wounded and died the following day.

What was the "Burr Conspiracy"?

The "Burr Conspiracy" refers to an alleged plot by Aaron Burr in the early 1800s to create an independent country in the American Southwest, possibly involving territories of Spanish Mexico, or to detach Western U.S. territories. He was tried for treason but acquitted due to a strict constitutional interpretation of the charge.