Charles Hamilton, Earl of Selkirk

Charles Hamilton (formerly Douglas) Earl of Selkirk and Baron Daer and Shortcleuch, was buried on 18th April 1739 in the vault of the Duke of Buckingham in Henry VII's chapel in Westminster Abbey. He has no monument or marker. But his coffin plate was seen when the vault was investigated in the late 19th century. It read:

The Most Noble and Puissant Lord Charles Hamilton, Earl of Selkirk, Lord Dair and Shertclough, Lord Lieutenant & Principal Sheriff of the county of Clydesdale, Lord Register of Scotland, one of the Lords of His Majesty's Bedchamber, one of His Majesty's Most Honble. Privy Council & one of the Sixteen Peers for North Britain. Born 3d of Febry. 1662/3. Died 13th day of March 1739

Lord Charles Douglas was a son of Lord William Douglas and his wife Anne, Duchess of Hamilton and succeeded to his father's title when William was created Duke of Hamilton for life. He served in the army in France, besieging Luxembourg and was Colonel of the 1st regiment of horse and attended William III at the battle of the Boyne. Also Lord of the Bedchamber to William III, George I and George II, Lord Register of Scotland, Privy Councillor and Governor of Edinburgh Castle. He died unmarried and made his nephew William, Lord Riccartoun his executor.

Further reading

See also the entry for Mary, Duchess of Hamilton, Anne's mother

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004

Born

3rd February 1662 or 1663

Died

13th March 1739

Buried

18th April 1739

Occupation

Soldier

Location

Lady Chapel

Charles Hamilton, Earl of Selkirk
Lady Chapel

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