Description
Book SynopsisAlexander Hamilton is commonly seen as the standard-bearer of an ideology-turned-political party, the Federalists, engaged in a struggle for the soul of the young United States against the Anti-Federalists, and later, the Jeffersonian Republicans. This volume counters such conventional wisdom with a new, more nuanced view of Hamilton as a true federalist, rather than a one-dimensional nationalist.
Trade ReviewKatherine Brown’s ambitious study of Alexander Hamilton’s statesmanship as revealed through ""the lens of the law” is long overdue. Brown sees Hamilton as a father of American law and ""recasts” him as a founder dedicated to solving the problems of the uniquely American system of federalism. Brown rejects the simplistic notion that Hamilton sought to consolidate all power at the national level and thereby restores a more nuanced understanding of his principles and practices. Brown’s groundbreaking examination of Hamilton’s legal legacy is essential reading for students of the American founding, of American legal history, and of Alexander Hamilton himself."" - Stephen F. Knott, author of
Alexander Hamilton and the Persistence of Myth ""
Alexander Hamilton and the Development of American Law by Katherine Brown is an important addition to the literature on Alexander Hamilton. Dozens of books have been written on Hamilton the historical figure and on his political ideas, but there is no book, until now, that explores his legal legacy. Bits and pieces of Hamilton’s legal legacy are found in various books and articles, but they do not come close to matching what Brown has accomplished in her lucidly written and well organized book."" - Michael P. Federici, author of
The Political Philosophy of Alexander Hamilton""Katherine Brown’s forcefully and persuasively argued book reminds us that Alexander Hamilton’s contributions to the nation included his work in law. He was a founding father of American law whose jurisprudence greatly influenced early American constitutionalism. Scholars generally regard Hamilton as a relentless defender of strong central government, but Brown makes the case for Hamilton’s more balanced federalism and his introduction of the doctrine of corresponding powers. Although he regarded law as an instrument of republican statecraft and is rightly known for his public lawmaking role, Hamilton was also an accomplished courtroom advocate with a large practice. Brown’s work will restore Hamilton to the place he occupied in the history of American law."" - Peter Charles Hoffer, author of
Rutgers v. Waddington: Alexander Hamilton, the End of the War for Independence, and the Origins of Judicial Review
