Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 8th Duke of Hamilton and 5th Duke of Brandon KT (24 July 1756 – 2 August 1799) was a Scottish peer.
Hamilton was born at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the son of the 6th Duke of Hamilton and his wife, Elizabeth Gunning. He attended Eton from 1763 to 1767 and on the death of his brother in 1769, he succeeded to the title of Duke of Hamilton.
Between 1772 and 1776, he lived in Europe with Dr. John Moore and on 5 April 1778, he married Elizabeth Anne Burrell (a sister of the future 1st Baron Gwydyr, the Duchess of Northumberland and the Countess of Beverley) in London. Hamilton's mother disapproved of the match and was of the opinion that 'the daughter of a private gentleman, however accomplished, was not qualified to be allied to her' and the couple eventually divorced, by Act of Parliament in 1794 without children. He had also previously inherited his mother's title of Baron Hamilton of Hameldon when she died in 1790.
Hamilton died in 1799, aged 43 at Hamilton Palace and was buried in the family mausoleum at Hamilton, Scotland. Without legitimate issue, his ducal title passed to his uncle, Archibald and his barony passed to his half-brother, George.
Peerage of Scotland | ||
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Preceded by James Hamilton |
Duke of Hamilton 1769–1799 |
Succeeded by Archibald Hamilton |
Peerage of Great Britain | ||
Preceded by James Hamilton |
Duke of Brandon 1769–1799 |
Succeeded by Archibald Hamilton |
Preceded by Elizabeth Campbell |
Baron Hamilton of Hameldon 1790–1799 |
Succeeded by George Campbell |
Honorary titles | ||
New office | Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire 1794–1799 |
Succeeded by The Duke of Hamilton |