Charles Hamilton James, Count of Arran facts for kids

Charles Hamilton James (16 July 1738 – 9 April 1800) was a soldier and author. He was known as the Count of Arran from 1754. Charles was the son of Charles Hamilton and Antoinette Courtney. His family had connections to important noble families in both Scotland and England.

Early Life and Family Name

Charles Hamilton James was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He spent most of his childhood living in France and Switzerland.

He was born with the last name James, not Hamilton. The exact reason for this is not known. It is thought that his father might have changed the family name. This could have happened after his father was sent to France. Even with the name change, "James" was his father's first name. This kept a connection to his original family.

Military Career

Charles joined the British East India Company. This was a powerful trading company that also had its own army. He became a captain there.

Later, he joined the Royal Scots Greys, a famous British cavalry regiment. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Charles fought in the Seven Years' War. He also served in the Low Countries (modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands). This included the Flanders campaign.

The Title of Count

Charles's father also used the title "Count of Arran." It is not fully clear if Charles officially inherited this title. It might have been a title his father used while living in France.

The title "Count of Arran" refers to the Earldom of Arran. This was a lesser title used by the Dukes of Hamilton. This was his grandfather's family. There is a chance it was a real French noble title. This is because Charles was descended from the Kings of France through his mother. If it was a real French title, then his male family members could also use the title "Comte d'Arran."

Family and Children

Charles married Catherine Napier on 15 June 1760. Catherine was the daughter of Sir Gerrard Napier, 5th Baronet. They had two children together:

• Lt. Col Sir William James, Comte d'Arran (1777–1820). He married twice and had children.
  • One of his sons was Colonel Sir Philip Charles William FitzRoy James, Comte d'Arran (1801–1871). Philip also had children, including Canon Mark James.
• Anne James. She married Sir St. Andrew St. John and had a son, Sir Paulet Andrew St. John.

Literary Work

Charles Hamilton James was also a writer. In 1790, he published a book written by his father. It was called Transactions during the Reign of Queen Anne, from the Union to the Death of that Princess.

Charles also wrote several of his own books:

• The Patriot; Tragedy, altered from the Italian of Metastasio (an eight-volume set, 1784).
• An Historical Relation of the Origin, Progress, and Final Dissolution of the Government of the Rohilla Afghans, in the Northern Provinces of Hindustan (another eight-volume set, 1787).
• Hedaya, or Guide; a Commentary on the Mussulman Laws (a four-volume set, 1791).

He published all of his own books using the name Charles Hamilton.