Who Was Alexander Hamilton?By: Pam Pollack, Meg Belviso, Who HQ Illustrator: Dede Putra Series: Who Was? Read the story of the Founding Father who inspired the smash Broadway musical. Born in the British West Indies and orphaned as a child, Alexander Hamilton made his way to the American Colonies and studied to become a lawyer. He joined a local militia during the American Revolution, rose to the rank of Major General, and became the chief aide to General George Washington.