t majority of which would be used to guide him through the weighty affairs of his later life, independently. His education in politics, law, and philosophy of government came from the writings of many intellectual giants, the most impacting of which were Hume, Locke, Blackstone, and Necker. Hamilton also learned a great deal by interpreting the many events he saw taking place around him and deriving complex conclusions from these situations. This education provided him with the understanding of life on which he would base the personal philosophical beliefs that would one day be applied to the nation at large.Though still young, up to and including his participation in the Constitutional Convention, Alexander Hamilton had a long and distinguished record of public service. Much of his service can be characterized as either military or political. His first venture into public service tended to blur that line, however. He spoke and wrote, quite frequently for the cause of the revolution, thereby encouraging military action in a political way. He prepared himself to fight also as he was doing this. Hamiltons first truly definable act of public service was with the army. There he started as the commander of an artillery company. General George Washington, who would woo him into an administrative position, soon recognized his talents. After serving under Washington, he was given command of a light infantry battalion, which played a pivotal part in the battle of Yorktown. As ended the war, so ended his military service. Hamiltons first venture into politics was as Receiver of Continental Taxes for New York. Later, Hamilton joined the Assembly, representing the City and County of New York. Soon afterwards, Hamilton helped organize and participated in the constitutional convention. This political experience would grant Hamilton the political knowledge that he would later use to set his governmental plans into action.Without a do...
