Robert Hamilton
Encyclopedia
Robert Hamilton was a Scottish mathematician and political economist. He was a founder member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
.
His grandfather, William Hamilton
, principal of Edinburgh University, had been a professor of divinity. Robert Hamilton was also the nephew of the Rev Robert Hamilton (1707-87), and the cousin of James Hamilton
(1749-1835).
Robert was the son of the Edinburgh bookseller Gavin Hamilton. Having completed his education at the High School, Edinburgh, and the University of Edinburgh, where he was distinguished in mathematics, Robert was induced to enter a banking-house in order to acquire a practical knowledge of business, but his ambition was really academic.
In 1769 he gave up business pursuits and accepted the rectorship of Perth Academy
. In 1779 he was presented to the chair of natural philosophy
at the University of Aberdeen
. For many years, however, by private arrangement with his colleague Professor Copland, Hamilton taught the class of mathematics. In 1816 he was presented to the latter chair.
Hamilton's most important work is the Essay on the National Debt, which appeared in 1813 and was undoubtedly the first to expose the economic fallacies involved in Pitt
's policy of a sinking fund. It is still of value. A posthumous volume published in 1830, The Progress of Society, is also of great ability, and is a very effective treatment of economical principles by tracing their origin and position in the development of social life. Some minor works of a practical character (Introduction to Merchandise, 1777; Essay on War and Peace, 1790) are now forgotten.
Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
.
His grandfather, William Hamilton
William Hamilton (educator)
William Hamilton was a Scottish Presbyterian theologian and minister of the Church of Scotland. He was Professor of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh from 1709 to 1732 and also Principal of the University from 1730 to 1732....
, principal of Edinburgh University, had been a professor of divinity. Robert Hamilton was also the nephew of the Rev Robert Hamilton (1707-87), and the cousin of James Hamilton
James Hamilton
-Dukes:*James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton , heir to the throne of Scotland*James Hamilton, 4th Duke of Hamilton , Scottish nobleman*James Hamilton, 5th Duke of Hamilton , Scottish nobleman...
(1749-1835).
Robert was the son of the Edinburgh bookseller Gavin Hamilton. Having completed his education at the High School, Edinburgh, and the University of Edinburgh, where he was distinguished in mathematics, Robert was induced to enter a banking-house in order to acquire a practical knowledge of business, but his ambition was really academic.
In 1769 he gave up business pursuits and accepted the rectorship of Perth Academy
Perth Academy
Perth Academy is a state comprehensive secondary school in the Scottish town of Perth. It was founded in 1760. The standard week at Perth Academy for students is Monday to Friday from 8.55am to 3.30pm, although this may differ for students taking part in any extra curricula activities. The...
. In 1779 he was presented to the chair of natural philosophy
Natural philosophy
Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature , is a term applied to the study of nature and the physical universe that was dominant before the development of modern science...
at the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
. For many years, however, by private arrangement with his colleague Professor Copland, Hamilton taught the class of mathematics. In 1816 he was presented to the latter chair.
Hamilton's most important work is the Essay on the National Debt, which appeared in 1813 and was undoubtedly the first to expose the economic fallacies involved in Pitt
William Pitt the Younger
William Pitt the Younger was a British politician of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He became the youngest Prime Minister in 1783 at the age of 24 . He left office in 1801, but was Prime Minister again from 1804 until his death in 1806...
's policy of a sinking fund. It is still of value. A posthumous volume published in 1830, The Progress of Society, is also of great ability, and is a very effective treatment of economical principles by tracing their origin and position in the development of social life. Some minor works of a practical character (Introduction to Merchandise, 1777; Essay on War and Peace, 1790) are now forgotten.