Lord Claud Hamilton

Lord Claud Hamilton PC (27 July 1813 – 3 June 1884) was a British Conservative politician. He held multiple governmental positions during the 19th century, notably serving as Treasurer of the Household in 1852 and again from 1858 to 1859, and as Vice-Chamberlain of the Household between 1866 and 1868.

== Early Life and Education ==

Claud Hamilton was born on 27 July 1813. He was the second son of James Hamilton, Viscount Hamilton, who was the eldest son of John Hamilton, 1st Marquess of Abercorn. His mother was Harriet Douglas, the daughter of the Honourable John Douglas, who was a younger son of James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton. His elder brother was James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn. For his education, Hamilton attended Harrow School and subsequently studied at Trinity College, Cambridge.

== Political Career ==

Claud Hamilton served as Member of Parliament (MP) for County Tyrone. His first term ran from 1835 to 1837, and he was re-elected in 1839, serving continuously until 1874.

In February 1852, when the Conservative government under Earl of Derby came to power, Hamilton was appointed to the Privy Council. He was appointed Treasurer of the Household, a role he held until the fall of the government in December 1852. He resumed this position under Derby’s leadership from 1858 to 1859.

When Derby became Prime Minister for a third time in 1866, Hamilton was promoted to Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, a position he held until 1868, which coincided with Benjamin Disraeli’s tenure as Prime Minister.

Noted for his oratory skills, Hamilton was capable of speaking at considerable length on various topics. One speech delivered in Parliament lasted four hours and twenty minutes, which was among the longest recorded in the House of Commons at that time.

In addition to his political roles, Hamilton was commissioned as Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the Prince of Wales's Own Donegal Militia on 22 September 1855, a position he held until passing command to his nephew, Lord Claud John Hamilton, in 1867.

== Family ==

On 7 August 1844, Hamilton married Lady Elizabeth Proby, daughter of Granville Proby, 3rd Earl of Carysfort. They had four children: one son and three daughters.

His wife, Lady Elizabeth Proby, was notable for translating Louis Pasteur's biography, titled "Louis Pasteur: His Life and Times," from French to English.

Their son, Douglas Hamilton, pursued a military career and served as a Member of Parliament. His grandson, Richard Hamilton, was created a Baronet in 1952, under the Proby Baronets title.

One of Hamilton’s daughters, Louisa Hamilton, married physicist John Tyndall.

== Death and Succession ==

Claud Hamilton died on 3 June 1884 at the age of 70. His wife, Lady Elizabeth, survived him by sixteen years, passing away in June 1900.

== References and External Links ==

Further details of Lord Claud Hamilton’s contributions in Parliament can be found in the Hansard records spanning 1803 to 2005.