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William Baillie-Hamilton

1803 – 1881

British naval commander

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About William Baillie-Hamilton

Lived 1803 – 1881 (aged 78). William Baillie-Hamilton was a British naval officer.

Admiral William Alexander Baillie-Hamilton (6 June 1803 – 1 October 1881) was a Scottish naval commander who served as Second Secretary to the Admiralty from 28 April 1845 to 22 May 1855.

Biography A member of the Baillie-Hamilton family headed by the Earl of Haddington, he was the son of the Venerable Charles Baillie-Hamilton, Archdeacon of Cleveland and his wife Lady Charlotte Home, daughter of Alexander Home, 9th Earl of Home. Three of his brothers also gained distinction. Sir George Baillie was Ambassador to Tuscany; Charles Baillie-Hamilton was a politician; Ker Baillie-Hamilton was Governor of the Leeward Islands; and Cospatrick Baillie-Hamilton was also an admiral in the Royal Navy.

He married Harriet Hamilton (1812–1884), daughter of James Hamilton, Viscount Hamilton, in 1836. They had two daughters and four sons. A gravestone with the names inscribed of William Alexander Baillie-Hamilton's and that of his wife, Harriet, lies in Greyfriars Churchyard, Edinburgh. He is listed as having died in Portree, on the Isle of Skye. Another son, Charles (1848–1927), also played for Scotland in the same match.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Positions held
Private Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty
Also known as
W. A. B. Hamilton, William Alexander Baillie-Hamilton, William Alexander Baillie Hamilton

Family & relationships

Child
Charles R. Baillie-Hamilton
Child
William A. Baillie-Hamilton

People in William Baillie-Hamilton's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Baillie-Hamilton's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Baillie-Hamilton?

British naval commander (1803-1881)

When was William Baillie-Hamilton born?

William Baillie-Hamilton was born on 6 June 1803 in Normanby.

When did William Baillie-Hamilton die?

William Baillie-Hamilton died on 1 October 1881 in Portree.

What was William Baillie-Hamilton's occupation?

William Baillie-Hamilton was a naval officer.

What nationality was William Baillie-Hamilton?

William Baillie-Hamilton was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Baillie-Hamilton

· Wikidata: Q8004945

· DBpedia: William Baillie-Hamilton

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Baillie-Hamilton. https://biography.guide/william-baillie-hamilton-naval-officer/

MLA: "William Baillie-Hamilton." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-baillie-hamilton-naval-officer/.

Chicago: "William Baillie-Hamilton." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-baillie-hamilton-naval-officer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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