About John Hamilton
Lived 1714 – 1755 (aged 41). John Hamilton was a British sailor and military officer.
Captain John Hamilton (2 March 1714 – 18 December 1755) was a Royal Navy officer, the second son of James Hamilton, 7th Earl of Abercorn and Anne Plumer.
Biography Hamilton chose a career in the Royal Navy and served of West Africa and the West Indies from 1737 to 1740. He was promoted to captain the next year and served throughout the War of the Austrian Succession, mostly in escorting convoys. In 1742, he was given command of HMS Kinsale, and captured a privateer off Dieppe on 7 September. He took command of HMS Augusta in 1744. His portrait by Joshua Reynolds in 1746 brought the artist his initial fame.
In 1749, Hamilton married Harriet Eliot, the daughter of James Craggs and widow of Richard Eliot of Port Eliot (d. 1748). He remained on active service for a few years after the close of the war in 1748, but went on half-pay from 1751 to 1755. He was called back into service as commander of HMS Lancaster, and accidentally drowned while in Portsmouth Harbour. He left three children:
John Hamilton, 1st Marquess of Abercorn (1756–1818) Lady Anne Hamilton ( – 4 November 1764) Jane Hamilton (1760-1839)
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in John Hamilton's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Hamilton's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Hamilton?
British naval officer (1714-1755)
When was John Hamilton born?
John Hamilton was born on 2 March 1714.
When did John Hamilton die?
John Hamilton died on 18 December 1755 in Portsmouth Harbour.
What was John Hamilton's occupation?
John Hamilton was a sailor and military officer.
What nationality was John Hamilton?
John Hamilton was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Hamilton (Royal Navy officer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Hamilton. https://biography.guide/john-hamilton-sailor/
MLA: "John Hamilton." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-hamilton-sailor/.
Chicago: "John Hamilton." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-hamilton-sailor/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:10 UTC