HAMILTON, WILLIAM GERARD Eng lish statesman, popularly known as "Single Speech Hamilton," was born in London on Jan. 28, 1729, and educated at Winchester and at Oriel College, Oxford. His maiden speech, in the House of Commons, delivered on Nov. 13, 1755, during the debate on the address, which excited Walpole's admiration, was, in fact, not the only one which he made in the House. He was one of the com missioners for trade and plantations (1756), chief secretary to Lord Halifax, the lord-lieutenant of Ireland (1761), chancellor of the exchequer in Ireland (1763) and filled other administrative offices.