David Hamilton (diarist)


Sir David Hamilton, FRS, MD was a Scottish physician to Queen Anne, during which appointment he kept a diary.

Life

Born in Scotland, he entered the University of Leiden as a medical student on 30 October 1683. He graduated MD of the university of Reims in 1686. He was admitted a licentiate of the London College of Physicians in 1688, and fellow in 1703.
Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1708, Hamilton became a leading practitioner in midwifery, and was successively physician to Queen Anne, who knighted him, and to Caroline, Princess of Wales. He is said to have acquired a fortune of £80,000, which he lost in the South Sea Bubble. He died on 28 August 1721.

Works

Hamilton wrote: