The Scandalous Hamiltons

Praise for The Scandalous Hamiltons

“Shaffer gives a detailed account of the scandal surrounding Robert Ray Hamilton (1851–1890), great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton, and his secret marriage to a prostitute and attempted murderer. Historical true crime buffs will be engrossed.” —Publishers Weekly

“Shaffer, an author and historical researcher, has resurrected a forgotten story of lies, betrayal, and blackmail in The Scandalous Hamiltons. The author explores the role of the press as the narrative unfolds, and his meticulous research brings turn-of-the-twentieth-century New York to life. Shaffer discovered this wild story by chance and put his formidable historical sleuthing skills to work. Readers will be glad he did.” —Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

“If legal-thriller star John Grisham thought up the story of Robert Ray Hamilton and Eva Steele one morning, by lunch he would have abandoned the idea as too far-fetched. Yet historian Shaffer shows that these seemingly implausible events not only happened in the late-nineteenth century, they played out for millions, thanks to the telegraph and the nearly 16,000 newspapers in existence at the time. Ray, great grandson of Alexander Hamilton, and Eva, from a poor background in rural Pennsylvania, met in a Manhattan “bawdy house.” Eva became Ray’s mistress; four years later, they were married by a minister whose last name was, ironically, Burr. Eva and Ray’s marriage fell apart over a concealed marriage, skullduggery involving a baby girl Eva said was Ray’s daughter, a stabbing, and a final bizarre twist. Shaffer has an appealing writing style and a talent for sneaking up on the reader with each big reveal. Though it can feel as though Ray and Eva don’t warrant book-length treatment, this concern is mitigated by the rich period detail Shaffer provides as context for their “scandalous” story.” —Booklist

“Adultery? Check. Attempted murder? Check. Baby-trafficking? Check. These are just a few of the missteps of the woman who rained humiliation onto the House of Hamilton.” —Marlene Wagman-Geller, author of Women of Means: Fascinating Biographies of Royals, Heiresses, Eccentrics and Other Poor Little Rich Girls

“This eye-opening take on the birth of society journalism kept us riveted. Fans of Erik Larson–style histories and anyone who just loves a fun, gossipy read will love The Scandalous Hamiltons.” —Apple Books, Best of the Month Selection

Bill Shaffer is the author of The Scanbdalous Hamiltons, George Nelson and The Design of Time, and Emotion in Motion- 55 Baranger Displays. He has been published on designobserver.com and the online site of Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, where he was a Smithsonian Fellow. He holds an M.A., History of Design and Curatorial Studies from Parsons, The New School. He and his wife live in New York City, not far from the historic Hamilton fountain, endowed by the subject of this book.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.