Robert Hamilton (1707-1787)
Robert Hamilton was Professor of Divinity at Edinburgh University from 1754 until 1779.
Hamilton was born in Edinburgh on 19 May 1707. He was son of William Hamilton (1669-1732), himself Professor of Divinity from 1709 to 1732, and Principal from 1730. Hamilton was Minister of Cramond in the city, then successively Minister of Lady Yester's Church, and Old Greyfriar's. In Spring 1754, he was appointed to the Chair of Divinity at Edinburgh University. Hamilton was twice Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and he was made Dean of the Thistle. Hamilton held the Edinburgh chair alone until 1779, when he ‘retired’ by taking as an associate Andrew Hunter (1743–1809), who would ultimately succeed him in the Chair. Professor Robert Hamilton died on 2 April 1787.