Hamilton, James (1560-01-01 - 1644-01-24)

James Hamilton of Dunlop, Scotland was the first son of Hans Hamilton, vicar of Dunlop and his wife Jonet. Likely educated at the University of St Andrews, where he graduated B.A. in 1584 and proceeded M.A. in 1585, he worked as a schoolmaster in Dublin and acted as an agent for James VI. He was made a Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin in 1593 and became its bursar in 1598. He became M.P of Co. Down from 1613-14 and 1st Viscount Claneboye in 1622, having been granted the lands of upper or southern Claneboye and the Great Ards in co. Down upon the succession of James. Hamilton had three wives: Alice Penicook, to whom he was still married in 1602; Ursula (d. 1625), daughter of Edward, Lord Brabazon of Ardee, whom he divorced around 1615; and Jane (d. 1661), daughter of Sir John Philipps of Picton Castle and the mother of his only son James. Hamilton died on 24 January 1644 at the age of 84.