George Hamilton-Gordon, 5th Earl Of Aberdeen

George John James Hamilton-Gordon, 5th Earl of Aberdeen (28 September 1816 – 22 March 1864), was a British peer and politician affiliated with the Liberal Party. He was born at Bentley Priory in Hertfordshire and was known as Lord Haddo prior to inheriting the earldom in 1860.

He was the eldest son of the 4th Earl of Aberdeen and Harriet Hamilton, Dowager Viscountess Hamilton (née Harriet Douglas). Harriet Hamilton was the widow of James Hamilton, Viscount Hamilton, and granddaughter of James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton. His early education was at Harrow School, a prestigious boarding school, and he subsequently attended Trinity College, Cambridge.

In 1854, Haddo's uncle William Gordon retired as a Member of Parliament for Aberdeenshire. Haddo sought to succeed him in Parliament. At that time, he was believed to have contracted tuberculosis and traveled to Egypt for health reasons, seeking a warm climate. Despite being absent from Scotland and lacking an electoral canvass, he contested and won the parliamentary seat. He returned to London to take his seat in the House of Commons approximately a year later in good health.

He served as a Member of Parliament until 1860, when he inherited his father's titles, becoming the 5th Earl of Aberdeen, and left the House of Commons. After becoming Earl, he made another trip to Egypt. During his time in Egypt, Aberdeen, who had converted to Evangelicalism, campaigned for Coptic Christians to convert to his faith. He distributed Bibles partnered with American missionary Gulian Lansing during his stay in Egypt. Lansing later authored a memoir recounting their journey.

In 1861, Aberdeen donated a large collection of antiquities, collected by his father, to the British Museum. He lived at Haddo House in Scotland and died there in 1864. His funeral took place at Methlick, and he was succeeded by his eldest son, George. His last words reportedly were, "Perfectly comfortable," when asked how he felt.

He married Mary Baillie at Taymouth Castle on 5 November 1840. Mary was the sister of the future 10th Earl of Haddington. The marriage produced six children:

1. George Hamilton-Gordon, 6th Earl of Aberdeen (1841–1870), who died unmarried.

2. Lady Mary Hamilton-Gordon (1844–1914), married Walter Hepburne-Scott, 8th Lord Polwarth.

3. Hon. James Henry Hamilton-Gordon (1845–1868), who died by suicide in his Cambridge rooms; his death was described as an accidental rifle injury.

4. John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair (1847–1934).

5. Lady Harriet Hamilton-Gordon (1849–1942), married William Lindsay.

6. Lady Katherine Eliza Hamilton-Gordon (1852–1931), married Alexander Bruce, 6th Lord Balfour of Burleigh.

The Dowager Countess of Aberdeen outlived her husband by 36 years, passing away at age 85 on 3 April 1900 at Kennet, the residence of her son-in-law Lord Balfour.