James Hamilton, 7th Earl of Abercorn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Hamilton
Earl of Abercorn
Detail from portrait below
Tenure	1734–1744
Predecessor	James, 6th Earl of Abercorn
Successor	James, 8th Earl of Abercorn
Born	22 March 1686
Died	11 January 1744 (aged 57) Cavendish Square, London
Buried	Westminster Abbey
Spouse(s)	Anne Plumer
Issue Detail	James, John & others
Father	James Hamilton
Mother	Elizabeth Reading

James Hamilton, 7th Earl of Abercorn (1686–1744) was an important Scottish and Irish nobleman. He was also known as Lord Paisley from 1701 to 1734. He was very interested in science and music. He even wrote a book about magnets in 1729. He also wrote about music in 1730, which his teacher, Dr. Pepusch, later improved and re-released.

Who Was James Hamilton?

James Hamilton was born on 22 March 1686. He was the second son of James Hamilton and Elizabeth Reading. He was the oldest son who lived to adulthood. His family, the Abercorn Hamiltons, moved from Scotland to Ireland. This happened during a time called the Plantation of Ulster, when many Scottish and English people settled in Ireland.

James's mother, Elizabeth, was the only child of Sir Robert Reading. James's parents were Protestants and got married in January 1684. James had 13 brothers and sisters.

Becoming Lord Paisley

When James was a child, his father helped King William during a war in Ireland. His father brought supplies to the city of Derry during a difficult time called the Siege of Derry.

In 1701, a relative named Charles Hamilton, 5th Earl of Abercorn died without children. Because of this, James's father became the 6th Earl of Abercorn. James was 15 years old at the time. He then became the next in line to inherit the title, and people started calling him Lord Paisley.

Family Life

In April 1711, Lord Paisley married Anne Plumer (1690–1776). She was the daughter of Colonel John Plumer.

James and Anne had eight children, six sons and two daughters:

• James (1712–1789), who became the 8th Earl of Abercorn after his father.
• John (around 1714 – 1755), who was a Captain in the Royal Navy.
• William, who died when he was young.
• Anne (1715–1792), who married Sir Henry Mackworth, 6th Baronet.
• George (1718–1787), who became a church official called a Canon of Windsor.
• Plumer Hamilton, who also died young.
• William (1721–1744), who was lost at sea when his ship, HMS Victory, sank.
• A daughter born in 1736, who died as a baby.

His Scientific and Musical Interests

James Hamilton was very smart and curious. On 10 November 1715, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a group of very important scientists.

He was also a Freemason, which is a member of a social and charitable organization. He was even the Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge of England from 1725 to 1726.

In 1729, he published a small book called Calculations and Tables Relating to the Attractive Virtue of Loadstones. In this book, he shared his experiments with lodestones. These are natural magnets. He measured how much iron different sizes of magnets could hold.

Frontispiece of the 1730 edition

Lord Paisley also loved music. He took lessons from Johann Christoph Pepusch, a famous musician. In 1730, he wrote a book about music called "A Short Treatise on Harmony." He based it on what Pepusch taught him. His teacher was a bit upset because James published it without asking. The book wasn't very well written at first. So, Pepusch helped him create a better version, which came out in 1731. This improved book showed how the best composers of that time created music. Even after this, James and Pepusch remained friends.

Becoming the Earl of Abercorn

In 1734, James's father passed away. Lord Paisley then became the 7th Earl of Abercorn. He also became the 2nd Viscount Strabane in Ireland.

James Hamilton, Earl of Abercorn

He became a Privy Counsellor in Great Britain on 20 July 1738. This meant he was a trusted advisor to the King. He was also appointed to the Privy Counsellor in Ireland in July 1737. He officially took his place there on 26 September 1739 when he visited Ireland.

On 17 October 1739, King George II gave a special permission, called a royal charter, for the first orphanage in the country. This was for children who had been left without parents. It was called the Foundling Hospital. Lord Abercorn was one of the many people who helped start and run this important place.

His Later Years and Death

Lord Abercorn died on 11 January 1744. He was 57 years old. He passed away in Cavendish Square in London. Five days later, he was buried in Westminster Abbey. This is a very famous church where many important people are buried. His father was also buried there.