Marquess of Abercorn

A carte-de-visite portrait of the Marquess of Abercorn (1811-1885), Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn in the Irish peerage, Marquess of Abercorn and Viscount Hamilton in the peerage of Great Britain, held estates covering some 80,000 acres in the Counties of Tyrone and Donegal. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland by Lord Derby in 1866 but left office when Disraeli was defeated in the general election of 1868. He was back again in 1874 when Disraeli resumed office, but resigned in 1876 due to the Duchess's health.

He was Groom of the Stole to the Prince Consort from 1846 to 1859, and Grand Master of the Freemasons of Ireland from 1874 until his death. In 1878, he was envoy extraordinary to Italy for the investiture of King Humbert with the Order of the Garter in Rome on 2 March.

On 25 October 1832, he married Louisa Jane Russell (1812-1905), 2nd daughter of the 6th Duke of Bedford. The couple had five sons and five daughters.

The Marquess of Abercorn died 31 October 1885 at Baronscourt and is buried there.

In his obituary on 2 November 1885, The Times assured its readers that 'His Grace carried with him into his retirement the good wishes of all classes. His urbane manners, his unfailing courtesy, his princely hospitality, and his unfeigned devotion to Irish interests had caused his name to be regarded with respect and affection everywhere, except among those disaffected persons whom no just policy could satisfy or generous treatment conciliate.'

Photographed by Camille Silvy of London on 1 June 1861.