Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe

Lady Anne Hamilton, born in 1766, was the daughter of the 9th Duke of Hamilton. She served as a lady-in-waiting to Caroline of Brunswick, Princess of Wales, from 1812 until the Princess's departure for exile in Italy the following year. Lady Anne possessed radical views and encouraged Caroline to assert her rights as Queen Consort upon George IV's accession in 1820. Alongside other reformers, she was instrumental in Caroline's return to England and supported her through the subsequent trial for adultery. Lady Anne remained a steadfast companion to the Queen until her death in 1821. Contemporary descriptions noted her imposing stature, with one observer comparing her to a large red deer. She passed away in 1846 and was interred in Kensal Green Cemetery.

Lady Anne Hamilton held a prominent position as a lady-in-waiting to Caroline of Brunswick, the estranged wife of the Prince Regent. She joined Caroline's household in 1812, a role she maintained until the Princess's self-imposed exile. Lady Anne was noted for her progressive inclinations and actively encouraged Caroline to return to England and claim her title as Queen Consort when George IV ascended the throne in 1820. She aligned with reformist circles, viewing the Queen as a symbol for the Whig opposition. Together with figures like Henry Brougham and Matthew Wood, she facilitated Caroline's return to London and stood by her throughout the highly publicized trial for adultery. Despite facing social ostracism, Lady Anne remained a devoted supporter of the Queen until her death.

In 1807, Lady Anne Hamilton anonymously published 'Epics of the Ton,' a satirical epic poem. This work targeted key individuals involved in 'The Delicate Investigation,' a public inquiry into Queen Caroline's alleged misconduct. Hamilton employed initials to refer to the central figures in her critique. Later, in 1832, a book titled 'Secret History of the Court of England from the accession of George the Third until the Death of George the Fourth' was published and attributed to her. While this publication was controversial and led to legal troubles, with a subsequent biographer crediting Hamilton directly for recording Queen Caroline's final moments, the authorship of this specific work is complex, with evidence suggesting it was penned by another individual who had gained Hamilton's trust. A forgery was also claimed in relation to her literary output.

“full six feet high and bears a striking resemblance to one of Lord Derby's great red deer”