James Hamilton, 2nd Duke Of Abercorn

James Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Abercorn (24 August 1838 – 3 June 1913), was a British nobleman, courtier, and diplomat. He was born in Brighton and was the eldest son of James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn, and Lady Louisa Jane Russell. His father was previously the 2nd Marquess of Hamilton before inheriting the dukedom. His maternal grandfather was John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford.

He received education at Harrow School and Christ Church, Oxford. Matriculating at Oxford on 28 May 1857, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1860 and later earned a Master of Arts in 1865. He was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1865. In the same year, he undertook a diplomatic mission to Denmark.

Hamilton began his political career as a Conservative Member of Parliament for County Donegal, serving from 1860 to 1880. He succeeded his father as Honorary Colonel of the Prince of Wales's Own Donegal Militia on 22 September 1860, a position he held until 1891. He served as High Sheriff of Tyrone in 1863.

He held several court positions, notably as a Lord of the Bedchamber to the Prince of Wales from 1866 to 1885. In 1885, he inherited the peerage titles from his father and became the 2nd Duke of Abercorn. He also served as Lord Lieutenant of County Donegal from 1886, where he led the Lords' reply to the Speech from the Throne on 21 January 1886, wearing the uniform of the Lord Lieutenant.

In 1886, Hamilton was appointed Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, retaining this role until his death. The following year, he was sworn into the Privy Council of Ireland. He served as Groom of the Stole to the Prince of Wales between 1886 and 1891 and was chairman of the British South Africa Company.

In early 1901, King Edward VII appointed him to lead a diplomatic mission to announce the King's accession to the governments of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, Russia, Germany, and Saxony. For his services, he was invested as a Knight of the Garter (KG).

He held extensive landholdings, including approximately 76,500 acres in Tyrone and Donegal and 2,100 acres in Scotland, as of 1883. He died of pneumonia at his residence at 61 Green Street, Mayfair, at age 74. His final resting place is the cemetery at Baronscourt Parish Church, the traditional burial site of the Dukes of Abercorn and their families.

In 1869, he married Lady Mary Anna Curzon-Howe (1848–1929), daughter of Richard Curzon-Howe, 1st Earl Howe, and Anne Gore. They had two daughters and seven sons, including James Albert Edward Hamilton, who became the 3rd Duke of Abercorn, and Lord Claud Hamilton, who died in infancy. His daughter Lady Alexandra Hamilton was a sponsor at her baptism with Alexandra, Princess of Wales. Another son, Lord Arthur John Hamilton, served as Deputy Master of the Household and was killed in action during the First Battle of Ypres in 1914. His son Lord Claud Nigel Hamilton served in the First World War and held several household positions under the royal family.

Hamilton's honors included the Order of the Iron Crown from Austria-Hungary, Grand Cross of the Dannebrog from Denmark, and the Order of St. Anna from Russia. He was also a Commander of the Imperial Order of Leopold from Austria-Hungary.

His ancestry includes notable Scottish, Irish, and British noble lines, with connections to the Dukes of Bedford, the Earl Howe, and other aristocratic families.