Hamilton, Hugh

, bishop of Ossory, and an eminent mathematician, was born in the county of Dublin, March 26, 1729. He entered of Trinity-college, Dublin, Dublin, Nov. 17, 1742, and in 1751 was elected a fellow that college. In 1758 he published his treatise on conic ions, < De Sectionibus Conicis," and in 1759 was | elected Erasmus Smith’s professor of natural philosophy. In 1764 he resigned his fellowship, having accepted a college living; and in 1767 obtained the living of St. Anne’s, Dublin, which in the following year he resigned at the proposal of the primate Robinson, for the deanery of Armagh. In 1772 he married an Irish lady of good family of the name of Wood. In 1796 he was consecrated 'bishop of Clonfert, having been recommended to that dignity without his solicitation or knowledge; and in 1799 was removed to the see of Ossory, where he continued till his death, Dec. 1, 1805.

Dr. Hamilton’s works have lately been collected and published by his son, in 1809, 2 vols. 8vo. The first contains his treatise on conic sections already mentioned; the second, “An Essay on the existence and attributes of the Supreme Being;” “An Essay on the permission of Evil;” three philosophical essays on the ascent of vapours, the aurora borealis, and the principles of mechanics;“Remarks and hints on the improvement of Barometers;” “On the power of fixed alkaline salts to preserve flesh from putrefaction;” and “Four introductory Lectures on Natural Philosophy,” written originally in discharge of his duty as professor of natural philosophy; and received at their first publication, as the work of an acute and sound philosopher. In every office, whether ecclesiastical or otherwise, he seems to have been anxious to perform all the duties it imposed with fidelity and care. ¹