Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton

The Most Noble Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton, 11th Duke of Brandon (February 3, 1903 - March 30, 1973), was born in Pimlico, London, England. Before succeeding his father as the Duke of Hamilton and Keeper of Holyroodhouse, he was a prominent Conservative Member of the British Parliament. He was Lord Steward of the Royal Household from 1940 to 1964.

Related Topics:
The Most Noble - February 3 - 1903 - March 30 - 1973 - Pimlico - London - England - Keeper of Holyroodhouse - Conservative - British Parliament - 1940 - 1964

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Educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford, he became interested in flying at an early age and served in the Auxiliary Air Force as a Squadron Commander from 1927 to 1936. He piloted the first flight over Mount Everest in 1932 and was instrumental in the birth of Scottish Aviation Ltd (now part of BAE Systems).

Related Topics:
Eton - Balliol College, Oxford - Auxiliary Air Force - 1927 - 1936 - Mount Everest - 1932 - Scottish Aviation Ltd - BAE Systems

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He met and became a friend of the Nazis during the 1936 Summer Olympics.

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In 1937, Lord Douglas and Clydesdale (as he was known before succeeding to his father's title) married Elizabeth Percy, the daughter of the Duke of Northumberland.

Related Topics:
1937 - Duke of Northumberland

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Later, during World War II he was responsible for air defense in Scotland and took command of the Air Training Corps. In May 1941, when Rudolf Hess parachuted into Scotland, the reason for his doing so was ostensibly to meet with the Duke and plot a secret peace treaty that would lead to the overthrow of hardliners such as Winston Churchill. It was, in reality, a trap; Hess was captured and the Duke was not implicated in any treasonous behaviour. British authorities who captured Hess even allowed him to meet the Duke some time later.

Related Topics:
World War II - Air Training Corps - May - 1941 - Rudolf Hess - Scotland - Winston Churchill

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