Hamilton, Iain, 1922-2000

Iain Ellis Hamilton was one of the most important British composers of the mid-to-late twentieth century.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1922, he lived most of his life in London (where he died in 2000), with a twenty-year period in America as a professor at Duke University. He first apprenticed to become an engineer and followed this pursuit for seven years before entering the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in 1947. His engineering background instilled a certain structure to his compositions and work habits, and he identified much more with this world than that of other composers. Hamilton was proficient in many subject areas from art to literature, and gave series of lectures in addition to teaching. His best-known works were operas, such as The Catiline conspiracy (1973) and The Royal hunt of the sun (1968). The number of performances that featured Hamilton's work spanned a wide range of genres and attests to his level of popularity.

From the description of Iain Hamilton papers, 1886-2002 (bulk 1951-1996). (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122485475

Iain Ellis Hamilton (1922-2000) was one of the important British composers of the mid-to-late twentieth century. Born in Scotland, he lived most of his life in London, with a twenty-year period in America as a professor at Duke University. He first apprenticed to become an engineer, and followed this pursuit for seven years before entering the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in 1947. His engineering background instilled a certain structure to his compositions and work habits, and he identified much more with this world than that of other composers. Hamilton was proficient in many subject areas from art to literature, and gave series of lectures in addition to teaching. His best-known works were operas, such as The Catiline Conspiracy (1973) and The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1968), but he should be remembered for far more than these. The number of performances that featured Hamilton’s work spanned across genres and attests his level of popularity.

Source: Wright, David C. F. “Iain Hamilton (1922-2000),” Musicweb, (accessed 6 May 2004), http://www.musicweb.uk.net/classrev/2003/Nov03/Hamilton_biog.htm.

From the guide to the Iain Hamilton papers, 1886-2002, 1951-1996, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)