# Duke of Hamilton — The History of Henry Esmond character guide

> Duke of Hamilton in The History of Henry Esmond by William Makepeace Thackeray.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Duke of Hamilton, Duke Hamilton, My Lord Duke of Hamilton, Brandon

**First appearance:** 0038-iv-beatrix-s-new-suitor

## Snapshot

A powerful Scottish nobleman and Jacobite ally who courts Beatrix Castlewood, bringing ambition, danger, and a rival's jealousy into the family's orbit.

## Who they are

Hamilton moves through the highest circles of Queen Anne's London, a statesman whose favor could make or break the exiled Prince's cause and a suitor whose rank dazzles Beatrix's imagination. His pursuit of her sets him against Henry Esmond, who watches the courtship with a mixture of political hope and private anguish. His presence turns the Castlewood household into a stage where love, loyalty, and treason are dangerously entangled.

## In the story

### [Book III: Containing the End of Mr. Esmond’s Adventures in England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/book-iii-containing-the-end-of-mr-esmond-s-adventures-in-england)

Beatrix's suitor, his fate intertwines with the Esmonds.

### [III: A Paper Out of the Spectator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/iii-a-paper-out-of-the-spectator)

Proposes to Beatrix; enters the room as Esmond departs.

### [Beatrix's New Suitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/iv-beatrix-s-new-suitor)

Proposes to Beatrix, learns of Esmond's true lineage, and plans to marry on December 1st before departing for Paris as ambassador.

### [Mohun Appears for the Last Time in This History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/v-mohun-appears-for-the-last-time-in-this-history)

Offers Esmond a position as secretary on his Paris embassy, but the offer is declined.

### [VI: Poor Beatrix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/vi-poor-beatrix)

Killed in a duel with Lord Mohun; his death is the central tragedy of the chapter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/duke_of_hamilton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters