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Name
Hamilton, William RA
Birth date
1750/51
Death date
1801
Biography
Hamilton was born in London, the son of a Scottish assistant to Robert Adam. His father sent him to Rome in his early youth, where he studied under Zucchi. Returning to England, he entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1769. He made designs for Boydell’s “Shakespeare” and Macklin’s “Bible”, and was much employed in book illustration. He exhibited extensively at the Royal Academy from 1774 until the year of his death. Among his painted portraits of actors and actresses he made a number of Mrs Siddons. His work was effete, having Stothard’s prettiness without his strength.