Discuss Alexander Hamilton's personal backgound as a youth in St. Croix?

Question

Also note in what way his Caribbean experience prepared him for his later success as an adult.

Answer 1

The link below gives an exhaustive account of Hamilton's childhood, sprinkled with the author's psychological assertions about the effects that Hamilton's experiences had on his character. It's very thorough, so much so that I wouldn't even want to try to encapsulate it all here. I did notice that Alexander was considered an illegitimate child, and suffered as a youth all the negative legal repercussions associated with that status in the 18th century. Also, he began working for a merchant firm full-time at the age of nine, and by fifteen or sixteen he was trusted to run the entire operation during an extended absence of the firm's owner. This man's connections were an eventual source of funds and support for Alexander when he went to college in the States. Also important is a Presbyterian minister and physician named Hugh Knox, who befriended the young Alexander on St. Croix and had many conversations and debates with him.

Definitely check out the link if you need more information.

Answer 2

Well, as a child prositute moving into governement service was a natural progression.