In 1821 Hamilton was appointed professor of civil history at Edinburgh University but from 1829 he began to become known as a philosopher when he published an article in the Edinburgh Review which discussed Kant's ideas.
Sa 1821 Hamilton ay hihirangin ng mga propesor sibil kasaysayan at Edinburgh University ngunit mula sa 1829 siya nagsimulang maging kilala bilang isang pilosopo kapag siya nai-publish ng isang article sa Edinburgh Review kung saan tinalakay Kant ng mga ideya.