ELIZA
“We all know the story of scrappy Alexander Hamilton and his rise in American politics–but how much do we know about his workmate, inspiration, and stabilizing force, Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton? Margaret McNamara employs the letter-writing style of the period to tell the story of Eliza Hamilton, who was born into a family of considerable wealth, power, and influence in Albany, New York, in 1757. Eliza was expected to marry into a similarly powerful family . . . until she met and fell in love with the charismatic Hamilton. She stood by him throughout his tumultuous life, and after his death, she single-handedly collected his papers and preserved them for historians and musical-theater writers of the future. Eliza outlived Hamilton by fifty years; during that time she founded the first orphanage in New York State, raised funds for the Washington Monument, and kept the flame of her husband’s memory and achievements alive. Featuring Esme Shapiro’s exquisite, thoroughly researched art, which mirrors paintings from 18th-century America, this is a beautiful and informative biography with extensive back matter.”
ELIZA: The Story of Elizabeth Scuyler Hamilton was written by Margaret McNamara and was edited by Lee wade.
It was published by Schwartz and Wade of Penguin Random House in October of 2018.
Praise for Eliza: The Story of ELizabeth Schuyler Hamilton
“Well-researched and intricately illustrated, this portrait provides an accessible jumping-off point for those interested in the Broadway musical and captures an extensive historical period from a specific and interesting perspective.”
“McNamara provides a portrait of the subject beyond her famed marriage, as Hamilton recounts her work to build schools and orphanages. Shapiro illustrates in delicate, pattern-laden mixed media; landscapes call to mind the work of Grandma Moses...”
“ A lovely biography of a revolutionary in her own right.”