Aaron Burr's Murder of Alexander Hamilton in a Duel

Aaron Burr's Murder of Alexander Hamilton in a Duel

In this Bloodlines and Betrayal episode, hosts David Schuman and Steve Cully revisit one of America’s most infamous and tragic rivalries — the deadly duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. What began as a political feud between two founding fathers ended on a quiet morning in Weehawken, New Jersey, with a single shot that echoed through history.

Schuman and Cully unravel the decades of tension leading up to the confrontation — Burr’s ambition, Hamilton’s relentless criticism, and the poisonous blend of ego, politics, and pride that made peace impossible. Both men stood as symbols of the young republic’s future: Hamilton, the architect of federal power, and Burr, the restless opportunist seeking his own place in the nation’s destiny.

When they faced each other on July 11, 1804, the line between honor and murder vanished. Hamilton fired first — perhaps intentionally missing. Burr’s return shot struck true, ending Hamilton’s life and destroying his own career.

The hosts explore how this moment became the ultimate betrayal between statesmen, transforming Burr from Vice President to villain and turning Hamilton into a martyr of principle.

In the end, Schuman and Cully frame the duel as a timeless warning: when pride outweighs purpose, even the founders of a nation can become its casualties.