Founding Brothers

Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis gives a flesh and bone picture of some of the mythical individuals who laid the foundations of this country. I am concerned about the fact that no mention of the Scottish heritage of individuals like Alexander Hamilton is mentioned. Alexander Hamilton is one of the most influential Scots in American history. His father was Scottish and he himself was born in the British colony of Nevis, located in the West Indies. One of the main authors of the Federalist essays - instrumental in the forming of the Constitution - he became the first US Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton developed an impressive and effective financial plan that created immediate faith in the government of a new nation. He is mentioned frequently when Tartan Day is celebrated. However, Tartan Day seems to be fading fast in the Scottish-American community as a cause for celebration. If books by Scottish authors are not read, they will disappear from the library shelves (Romance novels may be a pleasant diversion, but there are books of greater influence available). If those books disappear, new authors may be unaware of the Scottish heritage that influenced individuals like Alexander Hamilton.