Alexander Hamilton, Willard Straight, America, and the World

Abstract: Hamilton and Straight each influenced America’s relationship with the world. With a keenness more manifest than was the case for many in their respective generations, they anticipated a leading role for the United States in international affairs. Moreover, separated by just over a century, they present beguilingly analogous biographies. Very early in life each was parentless and of modest means and uncertain prospects. Yet both attended an Ivy League college, married into a distinguished family, became a committed New Yorker, and rose to a position of power and repute. Prominent older men fatefully befriended and sponsored Hamilton and Straight from the time each was quite young. Both founded a publication (the New York Post and the New Republic). Both exhibited singular talent in areas not specifically associated with their public reputations (Hamilton was a legendary lawyer, Straight an accomplished artist). Both attracted dedicated followers and died unexpectedly, tragically, and young. Their spouses and offspring pursued worthy, long, and often public lives. And, notably, each spent early years on distant oceans – Hamilton in the Caribbean and Straight on the Asian side of the Pacific.. Far away from the continental United States, both learned other languages – Hamilton was fluent in French and Straight became a serious student of Chinese. That is, each brought to his comprehension of the world – and of America’s place in it – a cosmopolitan personal seasoning.            This comparative study will assess the effect living at an early age on far away oceans had on the activities, views, and guiding principles of these men. By highlighting two noteworthy life stories, the study will meditate on the long history of America’s strivings to find its appropriate place in the world.