What Dominic Sandbrook has said about Burr–Hamilton duel

Sandbrook describes Burr as one of the most fascinating and ambiguous figures in American history.

“who is, I think, one of the most fascinating and ambiguous characters in American history”

The Rest Is History: 685. Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3) (Jul 5, 2026) · Listen from 16:22

Sandbrook agrees that Burr was seeking a pretext to challenge Hamilton, seeing it as a way to rebuild his credibility.

“But I think ultimately you're right that Burr is looking for a pretext to challenge Hamilton for reasons that maybe we'll get into”

The Rest Is History: 685. Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3) (Jul 5, 2026) · Listen from 27:55

Sandbrook judges Hamilton's reply to Burr as unconciliatory and somewhat pedantic and smug.

“It's important to say this is not at all a conciliatory letter. There's something perhaps a little bit pedantic, a little bit smug about Hamilton's letter”

The Rest Is History: 685. Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3) (Jul 5, 2026) · Listen from 28:55

Sandbrook notes the cynical interpretation that Hamilton's pre-duel statement functioned as a press release to blacken Burr's name after his death.

“you could argue it's basically a press release. it would be used after his death to blacken Burr's name”

The Rest Is History: 685. Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3) (Jul 5, 2026) · Listen from 40:43

Sandbrook believes Hamilton declined the hair trigger because he feared being accused of cheating.

“I think the answer is obvious. Hamilton is very anxious about He doesn't want to be accused of cheating because that would be very bad for his reputation”

The Rest Is History: 685. Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3) (Jul 5, 2026) · Listen from 47:47

Sandbrook rejects the death-wish theory about Hamilton's show with his glasses, arguing he was taunting Burr.

“I think that's highly unlikely. I think he's basically just trolling Burr. He's taunting him. He's winding him up”

The Rest Is History: 685. Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3) (Jul 5, 2026) · Listen from 50:38

Sandbrook concludes it is most likely that Hamilton fired first and deliberately missed.

“I think it's very plausible that Hamilton did fire first and he ostentatiously missed fire. That seems most likely to me”

The Rest Is History: 685. Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3) (Jul 5, 2026) · Listen from 59:29

Sandbrook says stories of Burr celebrating in New York taverns were untrue, as he actually fled south to Georgia.

“I mean, this is actually just totally untrue. Because actually what happened is that Burr fled New York straight away and he went all the way south to Georgia”

The Rest Is History: 685. Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3) (Jul 5, 2026) · Listen from 1:06:50