Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr, Jr. (February 6, 1756 – September 14, 1836) was an American politician, Revolutionary War hero and the third vice president of the United States (1801 – 1805).

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Burr fought in the American Revolutionary War and reached the rank of colonel. After the war, Burr was a leader of the Democratic-Republican Party. He had served in the New York State Assembly, as New York State Attorney General, and as U.S. senator before he became vice president.

Burr killed his political opponent Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804 while Burr was still vice president.

Burr is believed to have involved in a conspiracy to form a new country in Mexico. He wanted to be present if Spain and Mexico went to war. Some people, including President Thomas Jefferson, who had picked for his second term George Clinton, a different vice president, saw Burr's actions as treason. However, in 1807, Burr was found innocent of the charges because of a lack of evidence. He was often thought of by his enemies as unreliable.

Burr suffered severally strokes, was partially paralyzed, and died in 1836.