Hamilton began his publishing career as a newspaper reporter in Norfolk (1895–1914). He became publisher of the
Portsmouth (Virginia) Star from 1917 until it merged with the
Norfolk Ledger in 1955.
Early political career He became involved in the local
Democratic Party . Hamilton became collector of customs for Virginia during the Wilson administration, and served from 1914 until 1922. Before the United States entered World War I, Hamilton became the port's neutrality enforcement officer. He then served as chairman of the Port War Board of Hampton Roads (1916–1918). Hamilton was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1924, 1928, 1932, 1952, and 1960. He also served as Trustee of Virginia State Teachers' College in 1922–1926. During the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, Hamilton, in 1933, Hamilton was appointed as receiver at
Washington, D.C., of five District of Columbia insolvent banks, a position he resigned in June 1936 to run for Congress.
Congress Hamilton defeated incumbent (and
Byrd Organization loyalist)
Colgate Darden in the Democratic primary, then won election to the seat in the general election. He thus served in the Seventy-fifth Congress (January 3, 1937 – January 3, 1939). However, Darden defeated his renomination attempt in 1938, and also failed to win election in 1941 to fill a vacancy in the Seventy-seventh Congress. Executive of the Norfolk-Portsmouth Newspapers, Inc.. == Death and legacy ==