William Hamilton

William Hamilton (3 August 1858 – 27 July 1920) was a shearer, trade union official, and member of both the Queensland Legislative Council and Queensland Legislative Assembly.

Early life Hamilton was born in August 1858 at Geelong, Victoria, Educated at Heathcote, he began his working career there on the McIvor Creek goldfields before moving to New South Wales in 1875 and then on to Queensland in 1882 where he commenced work as a shearer. In 1885, his work as a miner took him to Croydon in Queensland, the Kimberley region in Western Australia, and Broken Hill, New South Wales before returning to Queensland in 1885 to once again take up shearing. While Hamilton himself had called on his men to show restraint, he was charged with criminal conspiracy and sentenced to three years imprisonment, which was served at the St Helena Penal Settlement. remaining there until his death some five years later. following the death of Sir Arthur Morgan and served in that role until his own death in 1920.

Personal life Hamilton married Mary Ann Mitchell at Rockhampton on 8 June 1896 and together had four children.