General the Hon. Edward Pyndar Lygon, CB (3 April 1786 – 11 November 1860) was a senior officer in the British Army and a Member of Parliament.[1]
Edward Pyndar Lygon | |
|---|---|
 Edward Pyndar Lygon in the uniform of 2nd Life Guards in a study by William Salter for his 1836 painting The Waterloo Banquet. | |
| Member of Parliament for Callington | |
| In office 1818–1820 Serving with Sir Christopher Robinson | |
| Preceded by | Charles Trefusis William Stephen Poyntz |
| Succeeded by | Matthias Attwood William Thompson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 April 1786 |
| Died | 11 November 1860 (aged 74) London, England |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Henry Lygon (brother) William Lygon (brother) |
| Education | Westminster School |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Great Britain |
| Service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1805-1854 |
| Rank | General |
| Unit | 13th Regiment of Light Dragoons |
| Commands | 2nd Life Guards |
| Battles / wars | |
| Other work | Member of Parliament |
Background
editEdward was the fourth son of William Lygon, 1st Earl Beauchamp, by his wife Catharine, the only daughter of James Denn. An elder brother was Henry Lygon, 4th Earl Beauchamp who also became an army general. Edward was educated at Westminster School and entered the British Army in 1803 as a cornet in the 2nd Life Guards.[2]
Military career
editHe was made lieutenant in 1805, captain in 1808 and major and fought in the Peninsular War from 1812 to 1814. He was made major and lieutenant-colonel in 1815 and commanded the 2nd Life Guards at the Battle of Waterloo.[3] He was awarded CB on 22 June 1815.
Further promotions as a staff officer were to lieutenant-colonel in 1818, colonel in 1822, major-general in 1837 [4] and lieutenant-general in 1846. He was appointed Inspector General of Cavalry.
He was given the colonelcy of the 13th Regiment of Light Dragoons in January 1845, a position he held until his death.[5] He was made a full general on 20 June 1854.
Parliamentary career
editIn 1818 Lygon was elected to Parliament for Callington, sitting until 1820. Although re-elected in March 1820 he was unseated on petition the following June.
Death and legacy
editHe died unmarried at his London home in 1860, although he also owned Spring Hill in Broadway, Worcestershire.
The Lygon Arms in Chipping Campden was named after him.[6]
Lygon Street in Melbourne, Australia, was also named in his honour.
References
edit- ^ "LYGON, Hon. Edward Pyndar (1786-1860), of 12 St. James's Square, Mdx". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ "No. 15591". The London Gazette. 3 June 1803. p. 679.
- ^ "British Cavalry Regiments and the Men Who Led Them 1793-1815: 2nd Regiment of Life Guards". napoleon-series.org. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ "No. 20660". The London Gazette. 10 November 1846. p. 3987.
- ^ "13th Hussars". regiments.org. Archived from the original on 5 March 2007. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ "Lygon Arms hotel". Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.