Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 24.djvu/237

 into his house and gave him charge of his dissecting-room. In 1780 he returned to Glasgow, and conducted his invalid father's anatomical class. Next year he was appointed, on the recommendation of William Hunter, to his father's chair. On the death of the latter, in 1782, he succeeded to a large surgical practice, to which he added obstetrics. He was in constant request as a consultant, his anatomical knowledge and obstetric skill being highly valued by his colleagues and old pupils. He is credited with smooth manners towards patients, with benevolence to the poor, and with circumspection in public affairs. He kept notes of his cases, intending to write a system of surgery. He died on 13 March 1790, after a tedious illness brought on by overwork. He. published nothing; but his biographer has preserved four specimens of his accurate method (on treatment of inversio uteri, on dislocations of the shoulder, on hydrothorax, and on a form of hernia). He married, in 1783, Elizabeth Stirling, by whom he had two sons, Sir William (1788–1856) [q. v.] and Thomas (1789–1842) [q. v.]

 HAMILTON, WILLIAM (1755–1797), naturalist and antiquary, was born at Londonderry on 16 Dec. 1755. His father, John Hamilton, was a merchant, and his grandfather, who appears to have been a soldier of fortune, took part in the defence of Derry in 1689. The family was of Scottish descent, and claimed relationship with the Dukes of Hamilton. Entering Trinity College, Dublin, on 1 Nov. 1771, and graduating B.A. on 20 Feb. 1776, Hamilton was elected fellow on 31 May 1779, and proceeded to the degree of M.A. on 13 July 1779. Besides showing great interest in antiquities, he studied chemistry, mineralogy, and latterly meteorology. He assisted in founding a learned society, the 'Palæosophers,' which, when fused with another similar body, the 'Neosophers,' formed the nucleus of the Royal Irish Academy, to whose 'Transactions' he contributed various papers, e.g. 'Account of Experiments for determining the Temperature of the Earth's Surface,' 1788. Hamilton's principal literary work was the octavo 'Letters concerning the Northern Coast of Antrim, containing a Natural History of its Basaltes [sic], with Account of the Antiquities, Manners, and Customs of that Country' (London, 1786). This book is said to have attracted much attention at the time. A German translation by L. Crelle was published in the following year at Leipzig. It consists of two parts, the first giving the author's observations and reflections in a pleasant, scholarly manner, and the second setting forth his mineralogical conclusions with 'a plain and impartial view of the volcanic theory' of the basaltic rocks. Hamilton also wrote: 1. 'Letters on the Principles of the French Democracy and their. . . influence on. . . Britain and Ireland,' Dublin, 1722. 2. 'Account of Experiments to determine the Temperature of the Earth's Surface in Ireland' (Trans. Royal Irish Acad. 1788, ii.) 3. 'Memoir on the Climate of Ireland ' (ib. 1794, vi.)

In 1790 he was appointed rector of Clondavaddog or Faust, co. Donegal, a remote parish near Lough Swilly, and as a magistrate and clergyman of the established church became extremely obnoxious to many of his neighbours, from the resolute support which he gave to the government. His parsonage being unsuccessfully attacked near the beginning of February 1797, Hamilton had to procure a guard of soldiers, and went in constant fear of his life. At last he ventured to cross Lough Swilly, and when about to return found the ferry-boat delayed on account of the rough weather. He called on Dr. Waller, a friend who lived at Sharon close by, and when the darkness had set in found the house besieged by a crowd of 'armed banditti' who were clamorous for his death. Mrs. Waller was mortally wounded by a shot fired through the window, and, terrified apparently by the threats of fire and death, Dr. Waller's servants actually thrust forth the unfortunate Hamilton, and he was instantly murdered at the doorstep, where his body lay till morning. This event occurred on 2 March 1797, according to the epitaph on his tomb in Londonderry Cathedral, which further states that he was in his fortieth year. He must, however, have been in his forty-second year. He left a wife and nine children, who were provided for by a vote of the House of Commons.

 HAMILTON, WILLIAM (1751–1801), historical painter, born at Chelsea in 1751, was of Scottish parentage. His father was an assistant to Robert Adam, the architect, who assisted young Hamilton to visit Italy, where he studied under Antonio Zucchi. He was, however, too young to derive much benefit from his residence in Rome, and after his return to England he became in 1769 a student of the Royal Academy. He soon distinguished himself as a portrait and 