Lord Anne Hamilton

Who was Lord Anne Hamilton?

Lord Anne Hamilton was a Scottish nobleman.

Hamilton was born at St. James's Square, London, the third son of Lieutenant-General James Hamilton, 4th Duke of Hamilton, and his wife the Honourable Elizabeth Gerard, daughter of Digby Gerard, 5th Baron Gerard. His unusual Christian name is explained by the fact that he was named for his godmother, Queen Anne. As well as the Queen, Hamilton's other godparents were John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough and Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland. Hamilton was commissioned into the Coldstream Guards as an ensign between 1731-1733.

Hamilton married Anna Charlotta Maria Powell, daughter of Charles Powell, in October 1742. They had two sons:

⁕Lieutenant-Colonel James Hamilton

⁕Admiral Charles Powell Hamilton

Hamilton had a further illegitimate child with Mary Edwardes, daughter of Francis Edwardes:

⁕Gerard Anne Edwardes, married in 1754, Lady Jane Noel, daughter of Baptist Noel, 4th Earl of Gainsborough. They were the parents of Sir Gerard Noel, 2nd Baronet, ancestor of the Earls of Gainsborough of the second creation.

Hamilton died in France at the age of 39, and was buried at St James's Church, Piccadilly the following July. Upon the death of the 12th Duke of Hamilton in 1895, without male issue, it was Lord Anne's descendant, Alfred Douglas-Hamilton who succeeded to the dukedom of Hamilton.