Thomas Hamilton (writer)

Thomas Hamilton FRSE (1789 – 7 December 1842) was a Scottish soldier and author.

He was born in Pisa, Tuscany. He was the second son of William Hamilton (1758-1790), professor of anatomy and botany, Glasgow, and was younger brother of Sir William Hamilton (1788-1856), the metaphysician. His father died a few months after he was born.

After preliminary education at Glasgow, he was placed in 1801 as a pupil with the Rev. Dr. Home, Chiswick, and some months later with the Rev. Dr. Scott, Hounslow. For several months in 1803, he was with Dr. Sommers at Mid Calder, Midlothian, preparatory to entering Glasgow University, where he matriculated the following November. He studied there three winters, proving himself an able if not very diligent student. His close college companion, of whom he saw little in after life, was Michael Scott, the author of 'Tom Cringle's Log.'

Hamilton's bias was towards the army, and in 1810, after fully showing, in Glasgow and Liverpool, his incapacity for business, he got a commission in the 29th regiment. Twice on active service in the Peninsula, he received from a musket bullet, at Albuera, a somewhat serious wound in the thigh. He was also in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick with his regiment, which at length was sent to France as part of the army of occupation.

About 1818, Hamilton retired on half-pay, fixing his headquarters at Edinburgh. He became a valued member of the 'Blackwood' writers. He is specially complimented in the song of personalities in the 'Noctes Ambrosianæ' for February 1826 (Noctes, i. 89). Hogg in his 'Autobiography' credits him with a considerable share in some of the 'ploys' led by Lockhart.

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