Lord Archibald Hamilton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Archibald Hamilton
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Lord Archibald Hamilton
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| Born | 1673 |
| Died | 5 April 1754 (aged 80–81) |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands held | HMS Sheerness HMS Lichfield HMS Berwick HMS Expedition HMS Torbay HMS Boyne HMS Eagle HMS Royal Katherine Greenwich Hospital |
| Battles/wars | War of the Spanish Succession |
| Spouse(s) | Anne Cary Lucas Anne, Lady Hamilton Lady Jane Hamilton |
| Children | Charles Hamilton Elizabeth Greville, Countess of Warwick Frederic Hamilton Archibald Hamilton William Hamilton Jane Cathcart, Lady Cathcart |
| Member of Parliament for Lanarkshire |
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| In office 1708–1710 |
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| In office 1718–1734 |
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| Member of Parliament for Queenborough |
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| In office 1735–1741 |
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| Member of Parliament for Dartmouth |
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| In office 1742–1747 |
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| Personal details | |
| Political party | Whig |
Lord Archibald Hamilton (born 1673 – died 5 April 1754) was an important figure in British history. He was a Royal Navy officer, a nobleman, and a Whig politician. He served in the British Parliament for many years, from 1708 to 1747.
In the 1690s, he was busy in the English Channel. He chased French privateers, which were like private ships allowed to attack enemy ships. One famous chase involved a ship called Tyger. Hamilton also commanded large warships during major battles. These included the HMS Boyne at the Battle of Vigo Bay in 1702 and the HMS Eagle at the Battle of Málaga in 1704. Both battles were part of the War of the Spanish Succession. Later in his career, he became the governor of Jamaica. He also joined the Board of Admiralty, which was in charge of the Royal Navy. He eventually became the Senior Naval Lord, a very high position in the navy.
Archibald Hamilton was born in 1673. He was the youngest son of William Douglas-Hamilton, Duke of Hamilton and Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton. He studied at Glasgow University. After that, he learned from the Astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed, in London.
He then joined the Royal Navy. His first ship was the HMS Resolution. In 1693, he was promoted to post-captain. This meant he was a full captain in charge of a ship. He commanded several ships, including the HMS Sheerness in 1694 and the HMS Lichfield in 1697. In 1695, he was actively pursuing French privateers in the English Channel. His chase of the Tyger from St Malo was even painted by a famous artist, Willem van de Velde the Younger.
Hamilton continued to command important ships. He led the HMS Berwick in 1698 and the HMS Expedition in 1699. In 1702, he took command of the HMS Torbay. Later that year, he became captain of the HMS Boyne. He led this ship at the Battle of Vigo Bay in October 1702. This was a key battle during the War of the Spanish Succession. In 1704, he commanded the HMS Eagle. He led her at the Battle of Málaga in August 1704. By 1706, he was captain of the large HMS Royal Katherine.
Archibald Hamilton's Political Life
After his successful naval career, Archibald Hamilton decided to enter politics. He hoped to gain influence and a good position in the government. In the 1708 election, he ran for Parliament in two places. He won the seat for Lanarkshire.
He became a Member of parliament (MP). He opposed a law called the Treason Act of 1709. This law changed Scottish legal rules, which went against agreements made when Scotland and England united. However, he soon supported the government. With help from the Duke of Marlborough, he was appointed Governor of Jamaica in May 1710.
Hamilton did not run in the 1710 election. Instead, he went to Jamaica in 1711 to start his new role. During his time as governor, he faced some challenges. He was later brought back to England by the Royal Navy in 1716. However, he was cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation.
Hamilton returned to Parliament as an MP for Lanarkshire in 1718. He kept his seat in the 1722 British general election and the 1727 British general election. In May 1729, he joined the Board of Admiralty. This board was responsible for managing the Royal Navy. He rose to a very important position, becoming First Naval Lord in June 1733.
He did not run in the 1734 British general election. But he was elected MP for Queenborough in 1735. He had to step down as First Naval Lord in 1738. This happened because he did not support a bill for the Prince of Wales's allowance. However, he was then appointed to a role serving the Prince of Wales.
He did not run in the 1741 British general election. But he was elected MP for Dartmouth in 1742. He rejoined the Board of Admiralty as Senior Naval Lord in March 1742. He stayed on the Board until February 1746. From 1746 until his death, he served as Governor of Greenwich Hospital. This was a home for retired sailors. He kept his role with the Prince of Wales until 1747. He then accepted a pension of £1,200 a year from the Prince.
For much of his life, Hamilton lived at Park Place in Remenham, Berkshire. He passed away on 5 April 1754.
Archibald Hamilton's Family Life
Archibald Hamilton was married three times. His first wife was Anne Cary. She passed away in 1709. Around 1714, he married Lady Anne Hamilton, who was a widow. She died in 1719 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Later that same year, he married Lady Jane Hamilton. She was the daughter of the 6th Earl of Abercorn. Archibald and Lady Jane had six children together:
,_and_her_brother_William_Hamilton_(1730-1803),_by_William_Hoare_of_Bath.jpg)
- Charles (died 1751) who married Mary Dufresne.
- Elizabeth (1720–1800), who married Francis Greville, 1st Earl of Warwick.
- Frederic (1728–1811), who became a religious minister. He married Rachel Daniel.
- Archibald (died 1744), who sadly drowned in an accident.
- William Hamilton (1730–1803), who became a diplomat. He married Catherine Barlow and later Emma Hart.
- Jane (1726–1771), who married Charles Schaw, later Charles Cathcart, 9th Lord Cathcart.
