Matthew L. Davis

Memoirs of Aaron Burr - Volume II (Dodo Press) Matthew L. Davis

Aaron Burr, Jr. (1756-1836) was an American politician, Revolutionary War hero and adventurer. He served as the third Vice President of the United States under Thomas Jefferson (1801-1805). In public and in private, Burr's behaviour, even by his political foes, was labelled as considerate and gracious. He was often commended as a great listener. Although much took place in Burr's life, he is remembered by many only for a deadly duel with Alexander Hamilton. However, his establishment of guides and rules for the first Senate impeachment trial set a high moral bar for behaviour and procedures in that chamber, many of which are followed today. Finally, his silence and refusal to engage in defending himself from his political critics either in legislatures or in the press, plus the fact that most of his personal papers disappeared with his daughter, have left an air of mystery over his reputation. One must read his copious correspondence, such as it is, to gain more insight into the man. The Memoirs of Aaron Burr (2 volumes) (1836) were written by Matthew Livingston Davis (1773-1850).