Richard Jones Hamilton (August 21, 1799 – December 12, 1860) was an American politician and judge.

Hamilton was born in Kentucky, but moved to Illinois in his early adulthood where he held numerous public offices.

However, he left this job in 1821 after being appointed a cashier at the newly-established Illinois State Bank.

[1] In 1826, Hamilton was appointed a justice of the peace for Jackson County by the Illinois General Assembly.

[1] Soon after, the state legislature appointed him in February to serve as the inaugural probate judge of newly-created Cook County, Illinois.

[3] In 1831, he also was made the inaugural clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, holding that office until 1841.

[4] In December 1831, he was appointed clerk of Cook County, an office that he held until August 1837.

[3] In 1832, Hamilton also became clerk of the Cook County Commissions Court, holding that office until 1837.