Sir William Hamilton | |
|---|---|
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| Envoy Extraordinary to the Kingdom of Naples | |
| In office 1764–1800 | |
| Monarch | George III |
| Preceded by | Sir James Gray |
| Succeeded by | Sir Arthur Paget |
| Member of Parliament for Midhurst | |
| In office 1761–1764 | |
| Preceded by | Sir John Peachey |
| Succeeded by | Bamber Gascoyne |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 December 1730 London or Park Place, Berkshire, England |
| Died | 6 April 1803 (aged 72) London, England |
| Resting place | Slebech, Wales |
| Spouses | |
| Education | Westminster School |
| Occupation |
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Sir William Hamilton, KB, PC, FRS, FRSE (13 December 1730 – 6 April 1803) was a British diplomat, politician, antiquarian and vulcanologist who served as the Envoy Extraordinary to the Kingdom of Naples from 1764 to 1800. After sitting in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1761 to 1764, he began working as a diplomat, succeeding Sir James Gray as the British ambassador to the Kingdom of Naples. While in Italy, Hamilton became involved in studying local volcanoes and collecting antiquities, becoming a fellow of the Royal Society and being given the Copley Medal. His second wife was Emma Hamilton, who was famed as the mistress of Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson.