Thanks to the hit musical, Hamilton, people are now familiar with arguably one of the most awesome people in history: Sir Hercules Mulligan. What people may not realize, however, is that there is more to Mulligan than his desire to steal your daughters and horses...

Although according to Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mulligan needs "no introduction," I think that it would be doing a disservice to society to not give him an introduction.

Born in 1740 to an Irish family, the Mulligans immigrated to the United States when Hercules was just a mere six-year-old. He then attended King's College in New York City, which is now Columbia University. Upon graduating, Mulligan worked for his father's accounting business, then opened up his own tailoring business in the city, where he would tailor garments for colonial aristocrats and British officers.

In 1765, Mulligan was one of the first to join the secret underground group, the Sons of Liberty, which began due to the British rule becoming more oppressive and exploitative. In 1770, Mulligan helped mob the British soldiers who were distributing pamphlets that denounced the patriots in The Battle of Golden Hill.

So how did Mulligan and Hamilton, a penniless orphan who is 17 years younger than Mulligan get to cross paths with each other? Hamilton had brought with him from St. Croix a letter of recommendation addressed to Mulligan's older brother, Hugh. Hugh then introduced Hamilton to Hercules, and Hercules Mulligan, the cool guy he is, helps Hamilton further his education where he also eventually ends up at King's College. Mulligan and Hamilton soon become roomies in New York City, where not only Mulligan strikes up a strong bromance with Hamilton, but succeeds in inciting a desire for revolution in him.

Thanks to Mulligan, Alexander Hamilton also joined the Sons of Liberty, and in February of 1775, Hamilton wrote an essay denouncing the British.

If it wasn't for Hercules Mulligan, do you think that Hamilton could have had the same monumental impact on history that he holds?

In addition to being Hamilton's mentor and "big brother," Mulligan also saved George Washington during the Revolutionary War, twice.

As Lin-Manuel Miranda writes, “A tailor spyin’ on the British government, I take their measurements, information, and then I smuggle it.” And alas, that is exactly what Mulligan did. As a reputable tailor, Mulligan was able to receive exclusive information from the British. Late one evening in 1779, a British officer inquired in purchasing a watch coat from Mulligan's shop. When Mulligan asked why the officer needed the coat so quickly at such a late hour, he explained that he was leaving immediately on a mission, boasting that "before another day, we'll have the rebel general in our hands."

As soon as the officer left, Mulligan dispatched his slave, Cato, to advise Washington about this matter. Washington had been planning to rendezvous with some of his officers, and apparently the British had learned the location of the meeting and intended to set a trap. Thanks to Mulligan's quick wit, Washington was able to avoid being captured.

Two years later, Mulligan warned Washington about a second attempt to seize him. In February 1781, the British placed a rush order for provisions to be loaded onto a ship. Hugh, who worked for an import-export firm that traded with the British, casually inquired as to what the supplies were for. The British officer revealed that 300 cavalrymen were being dispatched to New London, Connecticut, in order to intercept General Washington as he traveled to Newport to speak with French General Rochambeau.

Hugh Mulligan passed the information to his brother, who relayed it to Washington's camp. Washington then changed his route to Rhode Island, thus swerving the British, again.

While Hercules Mulligan is rarely discussed in the history textbooks, his tale is too legendary to not know about. Mulligan was truly a badass, and we have him to thank for being a crucial key to the success of the American Revolution. Thanks, Hercules.