HAMILTON, Anthony, Count of, was descended from a younger branch of the dukes of Hamilton, and born in Ireland about the year 1646. His mother was sister to the duke of Ormond, then viceroy of that country. The troubles of that period compelled his family to retire to France while he was only an infant, and he was brought up in the language and religion of that country. He made different visits to England in the reign of Charles II. but he was prevented from obtaining any public employment in consequence of his religious opinions, to which he constantly adhered. He received from James II. a regiment of infantry in Ireland; but when that monarch's affairs came to be in a ruined condition, Count Hamilton accompanied him back to France, which he never afterwards quitted. On account of his wit and politeness he was very much admired, as well as for the many estimable qualities of his heart. His writings are lively, yet his conversation was serious, and he perhaps indulged too much his propensity to satire. He died in the year 1720 in the 74th year of his age.
The works of the count in the French language were printed in 6 vols. 12mo. in 1749, which consist of poems, fairy tales, and his Memoirs of Count Grammont, the best of all his compositions, of which Voltaire said, "it is of all books that in which the most slender ground-work is set off with the gayest, most lively and agreeable style." A splendid edition of it, adorned with fine engravings from original portraits, was published by the late Lord Orford, at his own private press.