Lady Anne Hamilton (1766–1846)

Lady Anne Hamilton
Born (1766-03-16)16 March 1766
Died 10 October 1846(1846-10-10) (aged 80)
Islington, London, England
Nationality British
Occupation Lady-in-Waiting
Employer Queen Caroline
Parent(s) Archibald Hamilton, 9th Duke of Hamilton
Lady Harriet Stewart

Lady Anne Hamilton (16 March 1766 – 10 October 1846) was a courtier and friend of the British queen Caroline of Brunswick.

Life

Hamilton was born in 1766. She was the daughter of Archibald Hamilton, 9th Duke of Hamilton. Hamilton published an epic satirical poem called Epics of the Ton in 1807.[1] The work was published anonymously and it satirised the main figures involved in what was called "The Delicate Investigation" of the morality and suspected adultery of Caroline of Brunswick.[2] Hamilton referred to the main characters by their initials.

Moments of Pleasure - a satirical print by Theodore Lane incorporating Lady Anne Hamilton; Sir Matthew Wood, 1st Bt and Caroline of Brunswick.

Hamilton had become a Lady-in-Waiting to Caroline of Brunswick and she held this job until 1813 when she left the country. She was again employed by Caroline when she returned in 1820 and Hamilton was with her until her death and her burial in Brunswick in 1821.[3]

In 1805 and in 1815 she was painted by James Lonsdale and these were exhibited at the Royal Academy.[4]

She was included in a number of satirical prints by Theodore Lane in 1820 and 1821.[5]

In 1832 a book was published which claimed to reveal facts about the Royal household. It was titled "Secret history of the Court of England from the accession of George" and it was attributed to "Lady Anne Hamilton".[1] This book was written by a woman who had gained Hamilton's confidence and is referred to as "S.W." in correspondence. A strong suspect for this role is Olivia Serres (born Wilmot). The resulting scandal meant that the publisher had to flee to avoid prosecution and Hamilton had to spend some time in France.[6]

Hamilton died in Islington in 1846. She was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.[1]

Works

Hamilton was said to have been the author of two publications. However one of these was a forgery.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Lady Anne Hamilton, LibraryThing, retrieved 29 December 2014
  2. ↑ The Epic of the Ton, Harvard University, retrieved 30 December 2014
  3. ↑ Wikisource link to Hamilton, Anne (DNB00). Wikisource.
  4. ↑ Lady Anne Hamilton, James Lonsdale, Victoria and Albert Museum, retrieved 29 December 2014
  5. ↑ Lady Anne Hamilton, National Portrait Gallery
  6. ↑ K. D. Reynolds, ‘Hamilton, Lady Anne (1766–1846)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 accessed 1 Jan 2015
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