Home > William Hamilton (diplomat)

Hamilton was the fourth son of Lord Archibald Hamilton, governor of Jamaica. He served in the army from 1747, but left it after his marriage to Catherine Barlow, daughter of MP Hugh Barlow , on January 25, 1758. Catherine died on August 25, 1782. The couple had no children.

Hamilton was England's ambassador to the court of Naples from 1764 - 1800. During this time he studied local volcanic activity and earthquakes, and wrote a book on the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. He collected Greek vases and other antiquities, selling part of his collection to the British MuseumThe British Museum is one of the world's greatest and most famous museums. It was established in 1753 by Sir Hans Sloane, a physician and scientist who collected lots of literature and art, on its present site at Montague House in London, United Kingdom, in 1772. His second collection went down with the ship that was transporting them to England in 1798.

His other books include Antiquites etrusques, greques et romaines (1766–67) and Mount Vesuvius (1772).

In 1786, a stunning young lady was sent to Sir William by his nephew, Charles Greville, in exchange for him settling Greville's debts. Like most of the men who wandered into her orbit, Sir William was smitten with Emma LyonEmma Hamilton Lady Hamilton ( April 26, 1765 January 16, 1815) is best remembered as the mistress of Horatio Nelson. She was born either Emma or Amy Lyon in Cheshire, England, the daughter of a blacksmith, and was brought up at Hawarden. She later changed, who performed dances inspired by classical elements for himself and his guests, including Goethe, while wearing no undergarments. However, he made no advances until she was ready to accept him. They married on September 6September 6 is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years). There are 116 days remaining. Events 3761 BC The first day of the Hebrew Calendar. 394 Battle of Frigidus: The Christian Roman Emperor Theodosius I defeats and kills the pagan usurper Eugeniu, 1791Events January 25 The British Parliament passes the Constitutional Act of 1791, splitting the old province of Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada March 3 The United States Congress passes a resolution calling for the establishment of the United States Mint at St. Georges, Hanover Square, London. He was 60; she was 26. She later became the lover of Horatio Nelson, a man Sir William admired greatly, and whose liaison he reportedly encouraged.