Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 24.djvu/221

   HAMILTON, ROBERT, M.D. (1721–1793), physician, of Lynn, was born at Edinburgh 6 Dec. 1721, and educated at the high school. He was apprenticed to William Edmonston, surgeon-apothecary of Leith, and attended the medical lectures. In 1741 he entered the navy as surgeon's mate, and remained in the service until 1748, occasionally attending the lectures of William Hunter and of Smellie in London. Having settled at King's Lynn, he acquired a good practice, and was consulted by patients from a distance. He was a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians at Edinburgh, and a member of several other learned societies. In 1773 he sent to the Royal Society of Edinburgh a paper on mumps (printed in vol. ii. of the 'Transactions,' 1790). Another paper, on a case of tapping the bladder per rectum, is printed in the 'Philosophical Transactions,' lxvi. (1776). His longest essay is 'Observations on Scrophulous Affections, with remarks on Schirrus (sic) Cancer and Rachitis,' communicated to the Medical Society of London, but published by himself, London, 1791. He died 9 Nov. 1793. Two works bearing his name were published posthumously, 'Observations on the Marsh Remittent Fever, on Water Canker and Leprosy, with Memoir of the Author's Life' London, 1801, and 'Letters on the Cause and Treatment of the Gout,' Lynn, 1806. In most works of reference he is confused and combined with his contemporary of the same name who practised at Ipswich.  HAMILTON, ROBERT (1743–1829), political economist and mathematician, was born in Edinburgh on 11 June 1743. He was the eighth son of Gavin Hamilton, a bookseller and publisher; and his grandfather, Dr. William Hamilton, had been professor of divinity and principal in Edinburgh University. After being clerk in a bank he became a partner in the management of a paper-mill. In 1769 he was appointed rector of the Perth Academy, and in 1777 appeared the first edition of his 'Introduction to Merchandise,' the first of a number of unpretending but useful and well-written treatises. In 1779 he was appointed to the chair of natural philosophy in Aberdeen University, but soon after made an arrangement with Mr. Copland, the professor of mathematics, to exchange classes till 1817, when Hamilton was appointed to the mathematical chair. He published in 1790 'Peace and War,' showing philanthropic tendencies, and in 1800 'Heads of a Course of Mathematics.' His chief work first appeared in 1813, under the title ' Inquiry concerning the Rise and Progress, the Reduction and Present State, and the Management of the National Debt of Great Britain and Ireland.' A second edition was issued in 1818. This book commanded attention from its bold attacks on prevailing views of national finance, as well as from its philosophic tone. 'This important work,' says McCulloch, 'opened the eyes of the public to the delusive nature of the sinking fund' (see also, Hist. of England, v. 53). In it there is much sound reasoning as to principles combined with a great body of well-marshalled historical and statistical facts. After nearly completing half a century of teaching, Hamilton died on 14 July 1829. His last work, the 'Progress of Society,' was published posthumously in 1830.  HAMILTON, ROBERT, M.D. (1749–1830), physician, of Ipswich, was born at Coleraine, co. Londonderry, in 1749, and educated to medicine at Edinburgh. He entered the army as surgeon, and joined the 10th regiment of foot. In 1780 he proceeded M.D. at Edinburgh (thesis 'De Nicotians viribus in Medicina') and probably left the army about the same time. His tract 'Description of the Influenza,' dedicated 28 May 1782 to the colonel of the 10th regiment, shows him to have been then in practice in and near Luton, Bedfordshire. (Munk says he practised first at Dorchester.) He joined the College of Physicians in 1784. In 1785 he was practising at Ipswich, where he resided until his death, on 29 May 1830. His practice came to an end in 1795, owing to total blindness following a rheumatic affection. He is best known as the author of 'Duties of a Regimental Surgeon,' London, 1788, based on his experience in the 10th regiment. It was the first systematic treatise of the kind, and was used by E. B. G. Hebenstreit as the basis of his 'Handbuch' on the same subject, Leipzig, 1790. It was republished in 1798, 2 vols., London, along with his tract on influenza and further remarks on the same epidemic at Luton. His other writings are: 1. 'On the Establishment of a Regimental Fund for the Relief of the