Alexander Hamilton remains one of the most controversial of the Founding Fathers. Despite his philosophical errors concerning the proper role of government, he was a brilliant statesman and administrator. One of the chief defenders of the Constitution at the 1787 convention, he also co-authored The Federalist Papers (writing more than half them). George Washington, respectful of Hamilton's talent, appointed him Secretary of the Treasury, where his reports on public credit, the mint, manufactures, etc., were of great value in placing the finances of the new nation on a sound footing.