William Hamilton (geologist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Hamilton
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| Member of Parliament for Newport |
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| In office 22 July 1841 – 26 August 1847 Serving with John Heywood Hawkins
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| Prime Minister | Robert Peel |
| Preceded by | William John Blake Charles Wykeham Martin |
| Succeeded by | William Plowden Charles Wykeham Martin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William John Hamilton
5 July 1805 Wishaw, Lanarkshire |
| Died | 27 June 1867 (aged 61) London |
| Political party | Conservative |
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| Relations | Frederick W. Hamilton (brother) Frederick Hamilton (nephew) John Udny (grandfather) |
| Children |
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| Parents | William Richard Hamilton Julia Udny |
| Education | Charterhouse School |
| Alma mater | University of Göttingen |
| Occupation | Geologist |
William John Hamilton (5 July 1805 – 27 June 1867) was a British geologist and politician. He was a member of the Conservative Party. He spent his life studying the Earth and also served as a Member of Parliament.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William John Hamilton was born in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, Scotland, on 5 July 1805. His father was William Richard Hamilton, who was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, a group of important scientists. His mother was Julia Udny. William was the oldest of several brothers.
He went to school at Charterhouse School. Later, he studied at the University of Göttingen in Germany. This education helped him prepare for his future work as a geologist.
Career as a Geologist and Explorer
William John Hamilton became a member of the Geological Society of London in 1831. This society is for people who study rocks and the Earth's history.
In 1835, he went on an important trip to a region called the Levant, which includes parts of the Middle East. He then traveled alone through Armenia and Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He wrote a book about his journey called Researches in Asia Minor, Pontus, and Armenia in 1842. During this trip, he was the first known person to successfully climb Mount Erciyes, a large volcano.
He also explored parts of France and Belgium. He wrote about the different rocks and minerals he found, including those in Tuscany, Italy, and the agate quarries in Germany.
Political Life
Besides his work as a geologist, Hamilton was also involved in politics. He was a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP). He represented the area of Newport, Isle of Wight, from 1841 to 1847. An MP is someone elected to represent their local area in the country's parliament.
Leadership Roles
William John Hamilton held important leadership positions in scientific groups. He was the president of the Royal Geographical Society from 1848 to 1849. This society focuses on geography and exploration.
He also served as the president of the Geological Society of London for many years, from 1854 to 1866. In 1855, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a great honor for scientists. He also became a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1862.
Family Life
William John Hamilton was married twice. His first wife was Martin Trotter. They married in 1832 and had one son named Robert William Hamilton. Sadly, Martin passed away in 1833.
In 1838, he married his second wife, Margaret Frances Florence Dillon. They had six children together:
- Margaret Wilhelmina Hamilton
- Florence Selina Hamilton
- Victoria Henrietta Hamilton
- Alexander Charles Hamilton, who later became a Lord
- Constantine Henry Hamilton
- Archibald William Hamilton
William John Hamilton died in London in 1867. His wife, Margaret, lived longer than him. His grandson, Robert Hamilton-Udny, later inherited the title of Lord Belhaven and Stenton.
