James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran was a Scottish nobleman born in 1516. He was the son of James Hamilton, 2nd Lord Hamilton and Mary Stewart, the daughter of James IV of Scotland. James became the Earl of Arran in 1542 and was a prominent figure during the turbulent times of the Scottish Reformation. As a leader, he served as the regent for the young queen Mary, Queen of Scots after the death of James V of Scotland. His political career was marked by conflicts with rival factions, including the Stewart family, and he played a significant role in the power struggles of 16th-century Scotland.