John Hamilton, 1st Marquess of Hamilton

John Hamilton, 1st Marquess of Hamilton ( * ca 1537, † April 6, 1604 ) was a Scottish nobleman.

John Hamilton was a son of James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran, and his wife Margaret Douglas. After his father's death he reigned instead of his insane brother James.

He was a follower of Mary Queen of Scots in 1568 and involved in their liberation from Loch Leven Castle. In 1579 he fled to France, but reconciled in 1585 with King James VI.

He fought at the siege of Stirling Castle on 3 November 1585 as a result of the expropriation permits and goods was lifted against his family again. He led the 1588 negotiations on the matchmaking of King James VI. with the Danish Princess Anna in Copenhagen. Since 1589 he held the office of Lieutenant of the South of Scotland, and was finally raised in 1599 to the Marquess of Hamilton.

John was married to Margaret, daughter of John Lyon, 7th Lord of Glamis, with whom he had the following children:

• Jean, married Sir Humphrey Colquhoun
• Margaret († 1606 ), married John Maxwell, 8th Lord Maxwell
• Edward
• James (1589-1625), 2nd Marquess of Hamilton