William Hamilton was born in Dumfries, Scotland, immigrated to South Africa, and was educated at the South African College (now University of Cape Town), where he went on to teach English and Philosophy. He died in Flanders, 1917. (Thanks to André le Roux, Reference section, National Library of South Africa, Cape Town, for assistance.)

• Adey, David. Companion to South African English literature. Johannesburg, South Africa: Ad. Donker, 1986. PR 9350 .2 C66 1986
• William Hamilton. Modern Poems. Oxford: B. H. Blackwell, 1917. 011648.eee.17 British Library
• --. Moths and Fairies: A Play. 1912.