Hamilton, William, Sir, 1730-1803

Sir William Hamilton was a British diplomat, ambassador to Naples (1764-1800), and an archaeologist. His wife, Emma, was the mistress of Admiral Horatio Nelson. Hamilton acquired a collection of antiquities from Pompeii, which he sold to the British Museum in 1772, thereby stimulating wide interest in the art and culture of classical civilizations. He published several works based on archaeological pursuits, including Antiquités étrusques, greques et romains (1766-67) and Mount Vesuvius (1772).

From the description of Letters, memoranda, and drawings concerning Pompei and recent eruptions of Mt. Vesuvius and Etna, 1760-1799. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 79482664

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