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Andrew Hamilton (lawyer)
1741Aug, 4

Andrew Hamilton (lawyer)

Andrew Hamilton, Scottish-American lawyer and politician (b. 1676)
Andrew Hamilton (c.1676 – August 4, 1741) was a Scottish lawyer in the Thirteen Colonies, where he finally settled in Philadelphia. He was best known for his legal victory on behalf of the printer and newspaper publisher John Peter Zenger. His involvement with the 1735 decision in New York helped to establish that truth is a defense to an accusation of libel. His eloquent defense concluded with saying that the press has "a liberty both of exposing and opposing tyrannical power by speaking and writing truth."

His success in this case has been said to have inspired the now-archaic term "Philadelphia lawyer", meaning a particularly adept and clever attorney, as in "It would take a Philadelphia lawyer to get him off." His estate in Philadelphia, known as Bush Hill, was inherited by his son, William Hamilton, who leased it for use as the vice-president's house during the years that the city was the temporary capital of the United States.

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Events on 1741

  • 18Mar

    New York Conspiracy of 1741

    New York governor George Clarke's complex at Fort George is burned in an arson attack, starting the New York Conspiracy of 1741.
  • 10Apr

    Battle of Mollwitz

    War of the Austrian Succession: Prussia gains control of Silesia at the Battle of Mollwitz.
  • 10Aug

    Battle of Colachel

    King Marthanda Varma of Travancore defeats the Dutch East India Company at the Battle of Colachel, effectively bringing about the end of the Dutch colonial rule in India.
  • 14Sep

    Messiah (Handel)

    George Frideric Handel completes his oratorio Messiah.

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