Hamilton-Gordon was the second son of Prime Minister
George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen, by his second marriage to Harriet, daughter of the Hon. John Douglas.
Arthur Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Baron Stanmore, was his younger brother. He went on to be General Officer Commanding
Eastern District in January 1872. Apart from his military career, Hamilton-Gordon was also an Honorary Equerry to
Queen Victoria and sat as
Member of Parliament for
Aberdeenshire East from 1875 to 1885. He was at first a
Conservative until he defected to become a Liberal in 1879. Hamilton-Gordon married Caroline Emilia Mary, daughter of
Margaret and
Sir John Herschel, 1st Baronet and grand daughter of astronomer
William Herschel, in 1852. They had five sons and four daughters. His eldest son
Alexander also became a successful soldier. Hamilton-Gordon died in May 1890, aged 72. Lady Hamilton-Gordon survived him by 19 years and died in January 1909. ==See also==