My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton—A Love Story of a Founding Mother, War, and the Legacy of Alexander Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie is a sweeping, emotionally rich historical novel. Published in 2018, it tells the story of the American Revolution and the early republic through the eyes of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, wife of Alexander Hamilton. It is a companion novel to America’s First Daughter (about Martha Jefferson Randolph) and stands as one of the most acclaimed works in the “Founding Mothers” historical-fiction genre.
Overview
The novel spans more than fifty years, from the early 1770s to the 1830s, following Eliza Schuyler from her girlhood in upstate New York through her marriage to Alexander Hamilton, the Revolutionary War, the founding of the United States, and the decades after Hamilton’s death in 1804.
The story begins with Eliza as a spirited young woman in a prominent Patriot family. She meets Alexander Hamilton, a brilliant, orphaned immigrant and aide to General Washington, during the war. Their courtship is passionate but tested by war, separation, and the chaos of battle. After their marriage in 1780, Eliza becomes Alexander’s confidante, political partner, and emotional anchor as he rises to become the first Secretary of the Treasury.
The novel traces:
- Eliza’s wartime sacrifices (nursing soldiers, managing the household during British invasions, enduring personal loss)
- Her role during the Constitutional Convention and the early republic (supporting Alexander’s financial vision, hosting influential salons, managing their growing family)
- The scandals that rocked their marriage (the Reynolds affair, in which Alexander admitted to an extramarital affair to deflect accusations of financial corruption)
- The duel with Aaron Burr and Alexander’s death in 1804
- Eliza’s long widowhood—raising seven children, founding the first private orphanage in New York City, preserving Alexander’s papers and legacy, and fighting to secure his place in history
The book is framed by Eliza in old age, looking back on her life and deciding what to reveal about her husband’s legacy. It is both a love story and a portrait of a woman who refused to be defined solely as “Hamilton’s wife.”
Character Dynamics
Eliza Schuyler Hamilton is the heart of the novel. She is portrayed as intelligent, resilient, fiercely loyal, and deeply principled. She is not a passive wife; she is a partner who reads Alexander’s drafts, debates policy with him, and holds the family together through scandal and tragedy. Her growth is profound—from a sheltered young woman to a formidable widow who outlives her husband by fifty years and shapes his historical memory.
Alexander Hamilton is complex and charismatic. The authors show his brilliance, ambition, insecurity, and flaws—his temper, his womanizing, his self-destructive tendencies—without excusing them. The marriage is passionate but tested by his choices. Their love endures through betrayal and loss, grounded in mutual respect and shared ideals.
Supporting characters—Philip Schuyler (Eliza’s father), Angelica Schuyler (her sister), Aaron Burr, George Washington, and the Hamilton children—add depth and historical texture.
Key Events and Themes
Major moments include:
- The courtship and marriage during the Revolution
- Alexander’s rise and the Reynolds scandal
- The duel and Alexander’s death
- Eliza’s decades of widowhood—founding the New York Orphan Asylum Society, preserving Hamilton’s papers, and fighting for his legacy
Central themes:
- The hidden role of women in the founding era
- Love and forgiveness in the face of betrayal
- The personal cost of public life
- The creation of national memory—who gets to write history and why
- Resilience and duty in the face of tragedy
The tone is intimate and emotionally honest. The prose is vivid and accessible, blending historical detail with deep feeling. The authors use letters, diaries, and primary sources to ground the story in fact while imagining the emotional interior lives of their characters.
In short, this is a moving, richly detailed read. It tells the story of the American founding through the eyes of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton—the woman who loved Alexander Hamilton, endured his flaws, and preserved his legacy for future generations. It is both a love story and a portrait of a remarkable woman who refused to be forgotten. Perfect for fans of historical fiction, strong female protagonists, and the Revolutionary era seen from an intimate, personal angle.