Alexander Hamilton (Maryland doctor)

Alexander Hamilton (c. 1712 – May 11, 1756) was a Scottish-born physician and writer who lived and practiced medicine in colonial Maryland. He is primarily known for his diary Itinerarium, a detailed account of his travels throughout the American colonies in 1744.

Hamilton was born in Scotland and received a medical education at the University of Edinburgh. He immigrated to Annapolis, Maryland, around 1738 and established a successful medical practice. Beyond his medical career, Hamilton was a prominent member of Annapolis society and engaged in literary and intellectual pursuits. He was a member of the Tuesday Club, a social and intellectual club in Annapolis, and contributed essays and poems to local publications.

His Itinerarium, written in a lively and often satirical style, provides valuable insights into colonial American society, customs, and culture. It documents his observations of people, places, and events across various colonies, offering a unique perspective on the social and economic life of the time. The diary is considered an important primary source for historians studying colonial America.

While there are other figures named Alexander Hamilton, most notably the American Founding Father, this entry specifically pertains to the colonial Maryland physician and writer.