William Hamilton Drummond

Drummond, William Hamilton, D.D., a distinguished Unitarian divine, was born probably in the north of Ireland in 1778. His poetical talents were displayed in his Battle of Trafalgar, the Giant's Causeway, and his Translation of Lucretius; yet his best known work is, perhaps, his edition of Hamilton Rowan's Autobiography (Dublin, 1840). Most of his life was passed in Dublin as pastor of the Strand-street Unitarian Congregation, and he was for many years Librarian of the Royal Irish Academy. Dr. Drummond, who was esteemed and beloved by all, after being in infirm health for many years, died in Dublin, 16th October 1865, aged 87.

Note from Addenda:

Drummond, William Hamilton, D.D., Unitarian minister and author, was born at Larne, County of Antrim, in August 1778. Educated at the Belfast Academy, and at Glasgow, on 9th April 1800 he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Armagh, which, with that of Antrim, rejected subscription to any formula of belief. He was shortly afterwards ordained minister of Holy wood, subsequently married, and opened a boarding school at Mount Collier, in the neighbourhood of Belfast, which was for a time popular and profitable. In 1815 he responded to a call from the Unitarian congregation of Strand-street, Dublin, and passed the remainder of his life, first as its junior and afterwards as its senior minister. He devoted much attention to poetry, especially of a patriotic character, and was the author, among other pieces, of the Battle of Trafalgar, the Giant's Causeway, Clontarf, and Bruce's Invasion of Ireland, besides a translation of Lucretius. An Irish scholar, he gave to the world a volume of translations, entitled Ancient Irish Minstrelsy. The Memoir of his friend Hamilton Rowan is one of his best known works. Dr. Drummond was for a time Librarian of the Royal Irish Academy, and obtained the £40 prize of the Academy for his Essay on the Poems of Ossian (printed in vol. xvi. of the Transactions). He had a great love for books, and was an omnivorous collector. Many of his warmest personal friends were clergymen and members of the Established Church, embracing people of the highest intellectual attainments. In the domestic circle his affectionate disposition manifested itself unceasingly. Dr. Drummond died in Dublin, 16th October 1865, aged 87, and was buried at Mount Jerome Cemetery. His Sermons, and a Memoir, by the Rev. J. Scott Porter, were published in 1867.[109a]

Sources

109a. Drummond, Rev. W. H., Sermons of the late, with Memoir: Rev. J. Scott Porter. London, 1867.

146. Gentleman's Magazine. London, 1731-1868.
Gilbert, John T., see Nos. 110, 335.

233. Manuscript and Special Information, and Current Periodicals.