Cosmo Hamilton (29 April 1870 – 14 October 1942), born Henry Charles Hamilton Gibbs, was an English

playwright A playwright or dramatist is a person who writes plays. Etymology The word "play" is from Middle English pleye, from Old English plæġ, pleġa, plæġa ("play, exercise; sport, game; drama, applause"). The word "wright" is an archaic English ...

and

novelist A novelist is an author or writer of novels, though often novelists also write in other genres of both fiction and non-fiction. Some novelists are professional novelists, thus make a living writing novels and other fiction, while others aspire to ...

. He was the brother of writers Arthur Hamilton Gibbs, Francis William Hamilton Gibbs, Helen Katherine Hamilton Gibbs and

Sir Philip Gibbs Sir Philip Armand Hamilton Gibbs Knight Commander of the British Empire, KBE (1 May 1877 – 10 March 1962) was an English journalist and prolific author of books who served as one of five official British reporters during the First World Wa ...

Biography

Hamilton was born in Norwood. He took his mother's

maiden name When a person (traditionally the wife in many cultures) assumes the family name of their spouse, in some countries that name replaces the person's previous surname, which in the case of the wife is called the maiden name ("birth name" is also used ...

when he began to write. Hamilton was married twice: first to Beryl Faber, née Crossley Smith, who died in 1912. (She was the sister of actor

C. Aubrey Smith Sir Charles Aubrey Smith (21 July 1863 – 20 December 1948) was an English Test cricketer who became a stage and film actor, acquiring a niche as the officer-and-gentleman type, as in the first sound version of ''The Prisoner of Zenda'' (1937) ...

.) Hamilton then married Julia Bolton, the former wife of playwright

Guy Bolton Guy Reginald Bolton (23 November 1884 – 4 September 1979) was an Anglo-American playwright and writer of musical comedies. Born in England and educated in France and the US, he trained as an architect but turned to writing. Bolton preferred w ...

. His London musicals include ''

The Catch of the Season ''The Catch of the Season'' is an Edwardian musical comedy by Seymour Hicks and Cosmo Hamilton, with music by Herbert Haines and Evelyn Baker and lyrics by Charles H. Taylor, based on the fairy tale Cinderella. A debutante is engaged to a young ...

'' (1904), ''

The Belle of Mayfair ''The Belle of Mayfair'' is a musical comedy composed by Leslie Stuart with a book by Basil Hood, Charles Brookfield and Cosmo Hamilton and lyrics by George Arthurs. The story is inspired by the Shakespeare play ''Romeo and Juliet''. The orig ...

'' (1906), ''

The Beauty of Bath ''The Beauty of Bath'' is a musical comedy with a book by Seymour Hicks and Cosmo Hamilton, lyrics by Charles H. Taylor (lyricist), C. H. Taylor and music by Herbert Haines; additional songs were provided by Jerome Kern (lyrics and music), F. Cli ...

'' (1906). During the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

Hamilton was a

lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often sub ...

in the

Royal Naval Air Service The Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) was the air arm of the Royal Navy, under the direction of the Admiralty's Air Department, and existed formally from 1 July 1914 to 1 April 1918, when it was merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps t ...

. He later wrote a number of Broadway shows and many screenplays, and his novels were the basis for several films. In her April 1922 theater column, Dorothy Parker's review of Hamilton's Broadway play ''Danger'' remarked on the salacious content of Hamilton's plays: "There can longer be any doubt that it was from Cosmo Hamilton that the cosmic urge derived its name. Not even his own press agent could claim for Mr. Hamilton that it was he who conceived the notion of sex, but certainly he has given most of his life to capitalizing the idea. It has often been observed that if there were no such thing as sex, everything would be a lot better off. But then we must remember before we agree with the statement that were there no such thing, Mr. Hamilton would have nothing to write about." Hamilton died, aged 72, in

Guildford, England Guildford () is a town in west Surrey, around southwest of central London. As of the 2011 census, the town has a population of about 77,000 and is the seat of the wider Guildford (borough), Borough of Guildford, which had around inhabitants i ...

Works

Hamilton wrote dozens of novels, averaging a novel per year most of his adult life. His novels include: *''Plain Brown'' (1909) *''A Plea for the Younger Generation'' (1913) *''The Door that Has No Key'' (1913) *''The Miracle of Love'' (1914) *''The Sins of the Children'' (1916) *''Two Kings and Other Romances'' (1917) *''Who Cares? A Story of Adolescence'' (1919) *''The Rustle of Silk'' (1922) *''Paradise'' (read on radio 1925) *''His Majesty, the King: A Romantic Love Chase of the Seventeenth Century'' (1926) (historical novel about Charles II).Daniel D. McGarry, Sarah Harriman White, ''Historical Fiction Guide: Annotated Chronological, Geographical, and Topical List of Five Thousand Selected Historical Novels''. Scarecrow Press, 1963 (p.166) Hamilton's Broadway productions include: * ''The Proud Laird'' (1905) * ''The Catch of the Season'' (1905) * ''The Belle of Mayfair'' (1906-1907) * ''The Hoyden'' (1907-1908) * ''The Master Key'' (1909) * ''The Blindness of Virtue'' (1912) * ''Flora Bella'' (1916) * ''The Star Gazer'' (1917) * ''Scandal'' (1919-1920) * ''An Exchange of Wives'' (1919) * ''The Silver Fox'' (1921) * ''Danger'' (1921-1922) * ''The New Poor'' (1924) * ''Parasites'' (1924-1925) * ''Pickwick'' (1927) * ''Caste'' (1927)

Filmography

*', directed by Joseph Byron Totten (1915, based on the novel ''The Blindness of Virtue'') *''

Scandal A scandal can be broadly defined as the strong social reactions of outrage, anger, or surprise, when accusations or rumours circulate or appear for some reason, regarding a person or persons who are perceived to have transgressed in some way. Th ...

'', directed by

Charles Giblyn Charles Giblyn (September 6, 1871 – March 14, 1934) was an American film director and actor of the silent era. He directed nearly 100 films between 1912 and 1927. He also appeared in 23 films between 1914 and 1934. He was one of the foun ...

(1917, based on the novel ''Scandal'') *''The Sins of the Children'', directed by John S. Lopez (1918, based on the novel ''The Sins of the Children'') *'' Day Dreams'', directed by

Clarence G. Badger Clarence G. Badger (June 9, 1880 – June 17, 1964) was an American film director of feature films in the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s. His films include ''It (1927 film), It'' and ''Red Hair (film), Red Hair'', more than a dozen features and shorts st ...

(1919, based on a story by Cosmo Hamilton) *'' Who Cares?'', directed by Walter Edwards (1919, based on the novel ''Who Cares?'') *'' Restless Souls'', directed by William C. Dowlan (1919, based on a story by Cosmo Hamilton) *''

One Week of Life ''One Week of Life'' is a 1919 American silent drama film produced and distributed through Goldwyn Pictures. It was directed by Hobart Henley and starred Pauline Frederick. It is now considered to be a lost film. Plot As described in a film mag ...

'', directed by

Hobart Henley Hobart Henley (born Hess Manassah Henle; November 23, 1887 – May 22, 1964) was an American silent film actor, Film director, director, screenwriter and producer. He was involved in over 60 films either as an actor or director or both in his twen ...

(1919, based on a story by Cosmo Hamilton) *''

Men, Women, and Money ''Men, Women, and Money'' is a lost 1919 American drama silent film directed by George Melford and written by Beulah Marie Dix and Cosmo Hamilton. The film stars Ethel Clayton, James Neill, Jane Wolfe, Lew Cody, Sylvia Ashton, Irving Cummings, ...

'', directed by

George Melford George H. Melford (born George Henry Knauff, February 19, 1877 – April 25, 1961) was an American stage and film actor and director. Often taken for granted as a director today, the stalwart Melford's name by the 1920s was, like Cecil B. DeMil ...

(1919, based on a story by Cosmo Hamilton) *''

The Miracle of Love "The Miracle of Love" is an electropop ballad recorded by British duo Eurythmics. It was written by Eurythmics members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart and produced by Stewart. The track was released as the third single from the duo's sixth alb ...

'', directed by

Robert Z. Leonard Robert Zigler Leonard (October 7, 1889 – August 27, 1968) was an American film director, actor, producer, and screenwriter. Biography He was born in Chicago, Illinois. At one time, he was married to silent star Mae Murray with the two formin ...

(1919, based on the novel ''The Miracle of Love'') *''

Eve in Exile ''Eve in Exile'' is a 1919 American silent drama film directed by Burton George based upon a novel by Cosmo Hamilton. It stars stage actress Charlotte Wallker and was distributed by Pathe Exchange. The film is preserved in the Library of Congre ...

'', directed by Burton George (1919, based on the novel ''Eve in Exile'') *''

Duke's Son ''Duke's Son'' is a 1920 British silent drama film directed by Franklin Dyall and starring Guy Newall, Ivy Duke and Hugh Buckler.Low p.147 Cast * Guy Newall as Lord Francis Delamere * Ivy Duke as Loan Lambourne * Hugh Buckler as Sir Robe ...

'', directed by

Franklin Dyall Frank Poole Dyall (3 February 1870– 8 May 1950), professionally known as Franklin Dyall, was an English actor. In his early years he was a member of the companies of the actor-managers George Alexander, Ben Greet, John Martin-Harvey and J ...

(UK, 1920, based on the novel ''Duke's Son'') *''

The Week-End ''The Week-End'' is a lost 1920 American silent comedy film directed by George L. Cox and starring Margarita Fischer and Milton Sills. It was produced and distributed by Pathé Exchange. Cast *Margarita Fischer as Vera Middleton *Milton Sills a ...

'', directed by George L. Cox (1920, based on a story by Cosmo Hamilton) *'' Midsummer Madness'', directed by

William C. deMille William Churchill deMille (July 25, 1878 – March 5, 1955), also spelled de Mille or De Mille, was an American screenwriter and film director from the silent film era through the early 1930s. He was also a noted playwright prior to moving into ...

(1921, based on the novel ''His Friend and His Wife'') *''

The Door That Has No Key ''The Door That Has No Key'' is a 1921 silent British drama film directed by Frank Hall Crane. The film is considered to be lost. Cast * George Relph as Jack Scorrier * Betty Faire as Margaret Hubbard * Evelyn Brent as Violet Melton * Wilfr ...

'', directed by

Frank Hall Crane Frank Hall Crane (January 1, 1873 – September 1, 1948) was an American stage and film actor and film director, director.The Princess of New York ''The Princess of New York'' is a 1921 British crime film directed by Donald Crisp. Alfred Hitchcock is credited as a title designer. The film is now considered a lost film. Cast * David Powell - Geoffrey Kingsward * Mary Glynne - Helen St ...

'', directed by

Donald Crisp Donald William Crisp (27 July 188225 May 1974) was an English film actor as well as an early producer, director and screenwriter. His career lasted from the early silent film era into the 1960s. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor ...

(UK, 1921, based on the novel ''The Princess of New York'') *''

Wealth Wealth is the abundance of Value (economics), valuable financial assets or property, physical possessions which can be converted into a form that can be used for financial transaction, transactions. This includes the core meaning as held in the ...

'', directed by

William Desmond Taylor William Desmond Taylor (born William Cunningham Deane-Tanner, 26 April 1872 – 1 February 1922) was an Anglo-Irish-American film director and actor. A popular figure in the growing Hollywood motion picture colony of the 1910s and early 1920s, ...

(1921, based on a story by Cosmo Hamilton) *''

Reckless Youth Thomas Carter (born September 18, 1974) is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Reckless Youth. He has competed in numerous North American independent promotions including the East Coast Wrestling Association, Comba ...

'', directed by

Ralph Ince Ralph Waldo Ince (January 16, 1887 – April 10, 1937) was an American pioneer film actor, director and screenwriter whose career began near the dawn of the silent film era. Ralph Ince was the brother of John E. Ince and Thomas H. Ince. Biogr ...

(1922, based on a story by Cosmo Hamilton) *''

The Rustle of Silk ''The Rustle of Silk'' is a 1923 American silent romantic drama film directed by Herbert Brenon and starring Betty Compson. It was produced by Famous Players-Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It is based on the 1922 novel by writer ...

'', directed by

Herbert Brenon Herbert Brenon (born Alexander Herbert Reginald St. John Brenon; 13 January 1880 – 21 June 1958) was an Irish-born U.S. film director, actor and screenwriter during the era of silent films through the 1930s. Brenon was among the early film ...

(1923, based on the novel ''The Rustle of Silk'') *''

Another Scandal ''Another Scandal'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Edward H. Griffith and distributed by W. W. Hodkinson. Based on a 1923 novel ''Another Scandal'' by Cosmo Hamilton, the film stars Lois Wilson and Holmes Herbert. Plot As de ...

'', directed by

Edward H. Griffith Edward H. Griffith (August 23, 1888 – March 3, 1975)F ...

(1924, based on the novel ''Another Scandal'') *''

Who Cares Who Cares or Who Cares? may refer to: * "Who Cares?" (George and Ira Gershwin song) (1931) * "Who Cares?" (Gnarls Barkley song) (2006) * "Who Cares" (Paul McCartney song) (2018) * ''Who Cares?'' (ballet), a 1970 ballet by George Balanchine made ...

'', directed by David Kirkland (1925, based on the novel ''Who Cares?'') *''

Exchange of Wives ''Exchange of Wives'' is a 1925 American comedy drama film directed by Hobart Henley, with screenplay by Fanny Hatton based upon a Broadway play by Cosmo Hamilton. The film stars Eleanor Boardman Olive Eleanor Boardman (August 19, 1898 – ...

'', directed by

(1925, based on the play ''Exchange of Wives'') *''

Paradise In religion, paradise is a place of exceptional happiness and delight. Paradisiacal notions are often laden with pastoral imagery, and may be cosmogonical or eschatological or both, often compared to the miseries of human civilization: in paradis ...

'', directed by

Irvin Willat Irvin V. Willat (November 18, 1890 – April 17, 1976) was an American film director of the silent film, silent film era. A short biography reprinted from ''Blue Book of the Screen'' (1923). He directed 39 films between 1917 and 1937. Early i ...

(1926, based on the novel ''Paradise'') *'' Restless Youth'', directed by

Christy Cabanne William Christy Cabanne (April 16, 1888 – October 15, 1950) was an American film director, screenwriter, and silent film actor. Biography Born in 1888, Cabanne (pronounced CAB-a-nay) started his career on stage as an actor and director. He a ...

(1928, based on a story by Cosmo Hamilton) *''

The Three Passions ''The Three Passions'' is a 1928 British silent drama film directed by Rex Ingram and starring Alice Terry, Iván Petrovich and Shayle Gardner. It was made as a quota film for Allied ArtistsLow p.160 and was based on a novel by Cosmo Hamil ...

'', directed by Rex Ingram (UK, 1928, based on the novel ''The Three Passions'') *'' The Perfect Gentleman'', directed by

Tim Whelan Tim Whelan (November 2, 1893 – August 12, 1957) was an American film director, writer, producer and actor best remembered for his writing credits on ''Harold Lloyd'' and ''Harry Langdon'' comedies, and his directing of mostly British films (e.g ...

(1935, based on the story ''The Prodigal Father'') *''

The Exile ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'', directed by

Max Ophüls Maximillian Oppenheimer (; 6 May 1902 – 26 March 1957), known as Max Ophüls (; ), was a German-French film director who worked in Germany (1931–1933), France (1933–1940 and 1950–1957), and the United States (1947–1950). He made near ...

(1947, based on the novel ''His Majesty, the King'')

References

Other sources

* ''Twentieth Century Authors: A Biographical Dictionary of Modern Literature'', edited by Stanley J. Kunitz and Howard Haycraft, New York, The H. W. Wilson Company, 1942.

External links

* * *
Site includes list of Hamilton's novels
* *

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hamilton, Cosmo 1870 births 1942 deaths 20th-century English novelists Royal Navy officers of World War I Writers from London English male novelists 20th-century English male writers English historical novelists Writers of historical fiction set in the early modern period