Adolf Ludvig Hamilton
Encyclopedia
Adolf Ludvig Hamilton was a Swedish count
and politician. His father was Count
Gustav David Hamilton
. He was one of the leaders of the opposition of the nobility against King Gustav III of Sweden
in 1789. He also authored a critical book about Gustav III: Anekdoter till svenska historien under Gustaf III:s regering.
in 1759 and in 1766 he became chamberlain
for the then crown prince
Gustav III (later King Gustav III of Sweden
). In 1771 he became chamberlain
for Sophia Magdalena of Denmark
. He resigned from this later post in 1782 and moved to the Blomberg estate in Västergötland
, Sweden.
Count Hamilton was initially in favor of King Gustav III. However, he gradually developed a considerable hatred against the king, and after his resignation as chamberlain he joined the opposition in the Riksdag of the Estates
. He was the first to proclaim in the Rikssalen at Stockholm Palace
that the Act of Union and Security
proposed by King Gustav III needed to be discussed separately by the four Estates
. The act essentially provided King Gustav III tremendous power and simultaneously dramatically reduced the rights and privileges of the nobility. Hamilton was initially much in favor of the French revolution
, however, after observing the tyranny during the Reign of Terror
his feelings towards Jacobinism became lukewarm and in 1800 he had reversed his position and became a royalist
.
Hamilton had a French education and his writings and speeches often included satire
. He was known and feared for his epigrams. After his resignation as a chamberlain he kept a diary, which is kept at the Hamiltonian archive at Barsebäck Castle
. At older age, probably in the year 1795, he completed the book Anecdoter till Gustaf III:s och Gustaf IV Adolfs historia, which contains many anecdotes about the influential people in the mid 18th century Sweden.
He was the father of Gustaf Wathier Hamilton
.
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
and politician. His father was Count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
Gustav David Hamilton
Gustav David Hamilton
Gustav David Hamilton was a Swedish count and soldier. He was born in 1699 in Barsebäck, Malmöhus County, Sweden. He left Sweden in 1718-1720 to educate himself in warfare in France. In 1720 he became a captain and in 1740 he became a lieutenant colonel, both during French service. In 1741 he...
. He was one of the leaders of the opposition of the nobility against King Gustav III of Sweden
Gustav III of Sweden
Gustav III was King of Sweden from 1771 until his death. He was the eldest son of King Adolph Frederick and Queen Louise Ulrica of Sweden, she a sister of Frederick the Great of Prussia....
in 1789. He also authored a critical book about Gustav III: Anekdoter till svenska historien under Gustaf III:s regering.
Biography
Adolf Ludvig Hamilton was the son of Gustaf David Hamilton. He became an ensignEnsign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
in 1759 and in 1766 he became chamberlain
Chamberlain (office)
A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
for the then crown prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
Gustav III (later King Gustav III of Sweden
Gustav III of Sweden
Gustav III was King of Sweden from 1771 until his death. He was the eldest son of King Adolph Frederick and Queen Louise Ulrica of Sweden, she a sister of Frederick the Great of Prussia....
). In 1771 he became chamberlain
Chamberlain (office)
A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
for Sophia Magdalena of Denmark
Sophia Magdalena of Denmark
Sofia Magdalena of Denmark and Norway was a Queen consort of Sweden as the spouse of Gustav III of Sweden....
. He resigned from this later post in 1782 and moved to the Blomberg estate in Västergötland
Västergötland
', English exonym: West Gothland, is one of the 25 traditional non-administrative provinces of Sweden , situated in the southwest of Sweden. In older English literature one may also encounter the Latinized version Westrogothia....
, Sweden.
Count Hamilton was initially in favor of King Gustav III. However, he gradually developed a considerable hatred against the king, and after his resignation as chamberlain he joined the opposition in the Riksdag of the Estates
Riksdag of the Estates
The Riksdag of the Estates , was the name used for the Estates of the Swedish realm when they were assembled. Until its dissolution in 1866, the institution was the highest authority in Sweden next to the King...
. He was the first to proclaim in the Rikssalen at Stockholm Palace
Stockholm Palace
The Stockholm Palace is the official residence and major royal palace of the Swedish monarch. . Stockholm Palace is located on Stadsholmen , in Gamla Stan in the capital, Stockholm...
that the Act of Union and Security
Act of Union and Security
The Union and Security Act , alternately Act of Union and Security was proposed by king Gustav III of Sweden to the assembled Estates of the Realm during the Riksdag of 1789. It was a document, adding to the Swedish Constitution of 1772 new provisions and divisions of power...
proposed by King Gustav III needed to be discussed separately by the four Estates
Estates of the realm
The Estates of the realm were the broad social orders of the hierarchically conceived society, recognized in the Middle Ages and Early Modern period in Christian Europe; they are sometimes distinguished as the three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and commoners, and are often referred to by...
. The act essentially provided King Gustav III tremendous power and simultaneously dramatically reduced the rights and privileges of the nobility. Hamilton was initially much in favor of the French revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, however, after observing the tyranny during the Reign of Terror
Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror , also known simply as The Terror , was a period of violence that occurred after the onset of the French Revolution, incited by conflict between rival political factions, the Girondins and the Jacobins, and marked by mass executions of "enemies of...
his feelings towards Jacobinism became lukewarm and in 1800 he had reversed his position and became a royalist
Royalist
A royalist supports a particular monarch as head of state for a particular kingdom, or of a particular dynastic claim. In the abstract, this position is royalism. It is distinct from monarchism, which advocates a monarchical system of government, but not necessarily a particular monarch...
.
Hamilton had a French education and his writings and speeches often included satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
. He was known and feared for his epigrams. After his resignation as a chamberlain he kept a diary, which is kept at the Hamiltonian archive at Barsebäck Castle
Barsebäck Castle
Barsebäck Castle in the village of Barsebäck, Kävlinge Municipality, close to the shore of Öresund in Scania, southern Sweden, has existed in various versions at its present location since the 12th century. It received its current shape during a major renovation and rebuilding in 1889 and 1940...
. At older age, probably in the year 1795, he completed the book Anecdoter till Gustaf III:s och Gustaf IV Adolfs historia, which contains many anecdotes about the influential people in the mid 18th century Sweden.
He was the father of Gustaf Wathier Hamilton
Gustaf Wathier Hamilton
Gustaf Wathier Hamilton was a Swedish count, jurist and official. His father was Adolf Ludvig Hamilton and his mother was Eva Kristina de Besche....
.