William Hamilton (diplomat) - Early Life and Marriages

Early Life and Marriages

Hamilton was born, according to the baptismal register cited by the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, on 12 January 1731 in either London or at Park Place, Berkshire, the fourth son of Lord Archibald Hamilton, governor of Jamaica, and Lady Jane Hamilton, daughter of James Hamilton, 6th Earl of Abercorn. His mother was almost certainly a mistress of the Prince of Wales and William grew up with his son George III, who would call him his "foster brother". After attending Westminster School, he was commissioned into the 3rd Foot Guards in 1747 and was promoted Lieutenant in 1753. He left the Army after his marriage to Catherine Barlow, daughter of politician Hugh Barlow, on 25 January 1758. Catherine died on 25 August 1782. The couple had no children.

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 Lyon, 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 6 September 1791 at St Marylebone Church, 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. After Hamilton returned to England, he lived together with his wife Emma and her lover, Lord Nelson, between Merton Place and London. Nelson inherited a portrait of Emma by Élisabeth Vigée le Brun when Hamilton died.