He was born at Knock, near Balrothery in County Dublin (now Fingal), on 26 March 1729, the eldest son of Alexander (died 1768) and Isabella Hamilton. His father was a solicitor and politician who represented the Killyleagh constituency in the Irish House of Commons from 1739 to 1759. Isabella Hamilton was born Isabella Maxwell, the daughter of the Review
Robert Maxwell of Finnebrogue, Downpatrick.
He graduated Bachelor in 1747 and Master of Arts in 1750.
Alexander"s great-grandfather Hugh Hamilton migrated from Scotland to County Down in the early 17th century. The Scottish architect Sir James Hamilton of Finnart was an ancestor. Hamilton entered Trinity College, Dublin on 17 November 1742 at the age of 13 with Thomas McDonnell as tutor.
He was elected a fellow of the college at the age of 22 in 1751, having been unsuccessful at the examination the previous year.
He was appointed Erasmus Smith"s Professor of Natural Philosophy at Trinity College in 1759 and that same year graduated Bachelor of Divinity. He graduated Doctor of Divinity in 1762.
He retired on a college living in 1764 and was presented by Trinity College to the rectory of Kilmacrenan in the diocese of Raphoe, County Donegal, resigning from there in 1767 and becoming vicar of Saint Anne"s in Dublin. He then became Dean of Armagh from April 1768 to 1796.
Gilbert Stuart painted his portrait in about 1790.
He was promoted to Bishop of Clonfert and Kilmacduagh on 20 January 1796, without seeking lieutenant On 24 January 1799 he was translated to Ossory, where he was bishop until 1805. He died at Kilkenny on 1 December 1805 and was buried in Street Canice"s Cathedral, where there is a monument to him.
Hamilton married Isabella, daughter of Hans Widman Wood of Rosmead, County Westmeath, in 1772.
Isabella"s mother Frances was the twin sister of Edward, Earl of Kingston. Bishop Hamilton was the great-great-grandfather of C. South. Lewis.
Royal Society]
Around this time he was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (1761) and a member of the Royal Irish Academy.
