James Hamilton (1814-1871)
Encyclopedia
James Hamilton was a Scottish minister and a prolific author of religious tracts.
Born in Paisley
, Scotland
, seven miles west-southwest of Glasgow
, Hamilton was the eldest son of William Hamilton, a preacher and religious author of local renown. James Hamilton was therefore destined from an early age to enter the ministry, and to that end he studied at the universities of Glasgow
and Edinburgh
. He enjoyed courses on the natural sciences, particularly chemistry
and botany
, and contemplated a career in one of those fields. Although Hamilton enjoyed poetry, he once read a novel by Sir Walter Scott
, had the following reaction:
He became assistant to Robert Smith Candlish
at St. George's Church in Edinburgh, in 1838, and upon finishing his college studies, he "commenced his clerical life as assistant minister in the small secluded parish of Abernyte, in Perthshire". Early in 1841, he relocated to Roxburgh Church in Edinburgh, and in July of that year became pastor of the National Scotch Church, Regent Square, London
, where he would remain until his death. In 1849 he became editor of the Presbyterian Messenger, and in 1864 editor of Evangelical Christendom, the organ of the Evangelical Alliance. He was an incessant literary worker and the author of some of the most widely circulated books of his day. His best known works were: Life in Earnest (London, 1845), of which 64,000 copies had been sold before 1852; The Mount of Olives (1846); The Royal Preacher (1851), a homiletical commentary on Ecclesiastes; and Our Christian Classics (4 vols., 1857-59). Following his death, his collected works were published in London (6 vols., 1869-73); and his Select Works appeared in New York (4 vols., 1875). In addition to his religious writings, Hamilton continued to have an interest in botany throughout his life, publishing several articles in journals on the subject.
Born in Paisley
Paisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, seven miles west-southwest of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Hamilton was the eldest son of William Hamilton, a preacher and religious author of local renown. James Hamilton was therefore destined from an early age to enter the ministry, and to that end he studied at the universities of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
and Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
. He enjoyed courses on the natural sciences, particularly chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
and botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
, and contemplated a career in one of those fields. Although Hamilton enjoyed poetry, he once read a novel by Sir Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
, had the following reaction:
He became assistant to Robert Smith Candlish
Robert Smith Candlish
Robert Smith Candlish , Scottish divine, was born at Edinburgh, and spent his early years in Glasgow, where he graduated in 1823....
at St. George's Church in Edinburgh, in 1838, and upon finishing his college studies, he "commenced his clerical life as assistant minister in the small secluded parish of Abernyte, in Perthshire". Early in 1841, he relocated to Roxburgh Church in Edinburgh, and in July of that year became pastor of the National Scotch Church, Regent Square, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he would remain until his death. In 1849 he became editor of the Presbyterian Messenger, and in 1864 editor of Evangelical Christendom, the organ of the Evangelical Alliance. He was an incessant literary worker and the author of some of the most widely circulated books of his day. His best known works were: Life in Earnest (London, 1845), of which 64,000 copies had been sold before 1852; The Mount of Olives (1846); The Royal Preacher (1851), a homiletical commentary on Ecclesiastes; and Our Christian Classics (4 vols., 1857-59). Following his death, his collected works were published in London (6 vols., 1869-73); and his Select Works appeared in New York (4 vols., 1875). In addition to his religious writings, Hamilton continued to have an interest in botany throughout his life, publishing several articles in journals on the subject.