Buzz
Fans of the musical Hamilton likely recognize the name Theodosia, as Aaron Burr serenades his daughter in the song “Dear Theodosia,” singing, "When you smile, you knock me out, I fall apart / And I thought I was so smart." Born on June 21, 1783, Theodosia was named after her mother, who passed away, likely from cancer, in 1794. Aaron ensured Theodosia received an exceptional education, leading her to live a remarkably fascinating life. Here are some lesser-known details about her.
1. SHE WAS REGARDED AS A CHILD PRODIGY.
Inspired by Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Women, Aaron Burr committed to providing his daughter with an outstanding education. (This dedication is even highlighted in Hamilton.) According to James Parton in his biography of Aaron Burr, "She mastered Horace and Terence in Latin, studied Greek grammar, spoke French fluently, analyzed Gibbon’s works, played the piano, took dance lessons, and even learned to skate." By the age of 10, she had reportedly finished reading Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Her education was groundbreaking for her era, and Charles Felton Pidgin, in his 1908 biography of Theodosia, declared, “She was the first woman in America to receive what could be termed a college education. Her grace, kindness, moral strength, and intellectual achievements earn her the title we have bestowed: THE FIRST GENTLEWOMAN OF HER TIME.”
2. SHE MIGHT HAVE HAD A CLOSE CONNECTION WITH EXPLORER MERIWETHER LEWIS.
The bond between Theodosia and Lewis has sparked widespread speculation for more than a century. According to the popular narrative, the two met at a dinner organized by Thomas Jefferson, where they discussed the possibility of discovering living mastodons during Lewis’s upcoming expedition. They allegedly shared dinners and horseback rides before Theodosia’s marriage in 1801 and Lewis’s departure in 1803.
While this tale is intriguing, it remains just that—a tale. Mastodons weren’t officially named until 1806, and Theodosia married in February 1801, while Lewis was stationed in Detroit with the Army. He didn’t reach Washington until March, a month after her wedding. Additionally, it’s improbable they discussed an expedition planned for years later. As Richard Côté notes in Theodora Burr Alston: Portrait of a Prodigy, when Theodosia visited Washington in October 1803, Lewis and Clark were already in Illinois. Thus, while they may have been acquainted, claims of a romantic relationship are likely overstated.
3. HER HONEYMOON SPOT SPARKED A POPULAR TREND.
On February 2, 1801, 17-year-old Theodosia wed Joseph Alston, a wealthy southerner, and the couple honeymooned at Niagara Falls. Now a popular choice for weddings and honeymoons, Theodosia and Joseph were the first high-profile couple to choose this destination for their honeymoon. Today, Niagara Falls is famously known as “The Honeymoon Capital of the World.”
4. HER FATHER’S AMBITIONS COULD HAVE MADE HER A QUEEN.
In 1805, following his infamous duel with Hamilton, Aaron Burr devised a controversial scheme: he aimed to seize part of North America and crown himself king. This would have positioned Theodosia as the heir to the throne of Mexico, with her son, Aaron Burr Alston, born in 1802, eventually succeeding her. However, Aaron’s plan failed, and he was later charged with treason.
5. SHE PENNED LETTERS TO SECURE HER FATHER’S RETURN FROM EXILE.
After being acquitted in 1808, Aaron Burr fled to Europe to avoid creditors and public backlash, living in self-imposed exile. Without a passport, he was stranded abroad. Theodosia reached out to influential figures, including First Lady Dolley Madison and Treasury Secretary Gallatin, pleading for assistance. In her letter to Madison, she wrote,
“Why, then, is my father banished from a country for which he has endured wounds, dangers, and years of hardship? Why must he be separated from his friends and only child, condemned to an indefinite exile, especially at an age when others enjoy the fruits of their labor or prepare for their later years? I do not seek to sway you with this appeal. I only wish to remind you of the injustices inflicted upon one of the most distinguished figures the United States has ever known.”
Although Theodosia’s attempts didn’t immediately secure her father’s return, the replies she received indicated that the government wouldn’t hinder Aaron Burr’s eventual comeback in 1812. Once back in the United States, Burr resumed his legal career in New York City.
6. SHE ASSUMED THE ROLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA’S FIRST LADY.
When her husband, Joseph Alston, was elected Governor of South Carolina in December 1812, Theodosia became the state’s first lady. Sadly, her tenure lasted only 21 days before disaster struck...
7. IN 1813, SHE VANISHED WITHOUT A TRACE.
Aaron Burr had endured many hardships, but nothing compared to the events between 1812 and early 1813. In June 1812, shortly after his return from Europe, his only grandson succumbed to malaria. Months later, Theodosia boarded the Patriot, a ship previously used in the War of 1812, to visit her father—but the vessel never arrived in New York. It vanished, taking 29-year-old Theodosia Burr Alston with it [PDF].
The fate of the Patriot remains unsolved to this day, with the leading theory suggesting it was captured by pirates. Despite numerous theories, the circumstances surrounding Theodosia’s disappearance and death are likely to stay shrouded in mystery. After her vanishing, Aaron Burr expressed that he felt “cut off from humanity.”
8. HER LEGACY STILL RESONATES TODAY.
Hamilton isn’t the sole testament to Theodosia’s enduring influence. Her name has been carried forward by figures like silent film actress Theda Bara, whose birth name was Theodosia Burr Goodman. She appeared in classics such as A Fool There Was (1915) and Cleopatra (1917). Theodosia also found a place in Robert Frost’s poem, "Kitty Hawk":
Apropos of sin, Did I recollect How the wreckers wrecked Theodosia Burr Off this very shore? 'Twas to punish her, But her father more We don't know what for: There was no confession.
More recently, Theodosia inspired a corset crafted by artist and costume designer Camilla Huey for her 2013 exhibition "The Loves of Aaron Burr: Portraits in Corsetry and Binding." With Hamilton reviving her name in popular culture, it’s clear that Theodosia Burr Alston’s story will continue to captivate audiences for years to come.
