William Hamilton was born in County Londonderry. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and became a fellow there in 1779. He was Rector of Clondevaddock on the Fanad peninsula in County Donegal, and he did much to improve the area, though it is said by some that he abused his power. He was appointed magistrate and murdered on the shores of Lough Swilly. He was renowned for his Letters on the Coast of the County of Antrim, a geological treatise which was translated into German, and Letters on the Principles of the French Democracy and their Influence on Britain and Ireland. He often contributed to the Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy.

Born:	16 December 1755
Died:	2 March 1797