Hamilton Academy

Hamilton Academy was a school situated in Hamilton, Scotland. It or its predecessors can trace their history back to the year 1588. For most of its existence it was an elitist institution, forming the top-most layer of a four-layer public education system and drawing its pupils from primary schools across the County of Lanarkshire.

With the introduction of comprehensive schooling it was merged with nearby St. Johns Grammar School to form a new school called Hamilton Grammar School, which draws its students from its immediate surroundings.

Among famous educated at Hamiton Academy are economist (Sir) Alexander Cairncross, pathologist Matthew Baillie [ [http://www.aim25.ac.uk/cgi-bin/search2?coll_id=7094&inst_id=8 AIM25: Royal College of Physicians: BAILLIE, Matthew (1761-1823)] . Royal College of Physicians Archives. Retrieved on 2007-08-11.] , politician Margo McDonald, novelist Robin Jenkins and pioneering photographer James Craig Annan [ [http://gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/eyrwho/eyrwho0213.htm] Strathclyde University material.] .

The school gave its name to Hamilton Academical F.C., the football club, which was founded in 1874 by the Rector and pupils.

References

During the 11 plus years, many pupils were unable to study at the Academy. Instead they were educated at St. Johns Grammer in Hamilton.