James Hammond

James Hammond (22 May 1710 – 7 June 1742) was an English poet and politician.

Life Born on 22 May 1710, he was the second son of Anthony Hammond of Somersham Place, Huntingdonshire, who married Jane, only daughter of Sir Walter Clarges. His mother was famous for her wit; the father was a wit, politician, and spendthrift. Hammond was educated at Westminster School; at about the age of 18 Noel Broxholme, his future brother-in-law, introduced him to Lord Chesterfield. He soon became a member of the clique around Frederick, Prince of Wales: Cobham, Lyttelton, and Pitt.

In 1733 his relative Nicholas Hammond left Hammond £400 a year, and he became attached to the prince's court as an equerry. Through the prince's influence, as Duke of Cornwall, Hammond was returned to parliament on 13 May 1741 as member for Truro. Hammond then fell into bad health, and died at Stowe House in Buckinghamshire on 7 June 1742, while on a visit to Lord Cobham.

In 1740 Hammond had written a prologue for George Lillo's posthumous tragedy of Elmerick, which was acted at Drury Lane Theatre, and some additional poems by him and references to his compositions were in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1779, 1781, 1786, and 1787.