Edward Pyndar Lygon

Edward Pyndar Lygon
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	William Lygon, 1st Earl Beauchamp (father); Catharine Denn (mother);
Relatives	Henry Lygon (brother); William Lygon (brother)
Education	Westminster School
Military career
Allegiance	Great Britain
Service / branch	British Army
Years of service	1805-1854
Rank	General
Unit	13th Regiment of Light Dragoons
Commands	2nd Life Guards
Battles / wars	Peninsular War Battle of Waterloo; ;
Other work	Member of Parliament

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]

Background

Edward 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

He 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

In 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

He 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

^ "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.

Military offices
Preceded by Henry George Grey	Colonel of the 13th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons 1845–1860	Succeeded by Allan Thomas Maclean
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Hon. Charles Trefusis William Stephen Poyntz	Member of Parliament for Callington 1818–1820 With: Sir Christopher Robinson	Succeeded by Matthias Attwood William Thompson

[1] "LYGON, Hon. Edward Pyndar (1786-1860), of 12 St. James's Square, Mdx". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 18 May 2017.

[2] "No. 15591". The London Gazette. 3 June 1803. p. 679.

[3] "British Cavalry Regiments and the Men Who Led Them 1793-1815: 2nd Regiment of Life Guards". napoleon-series.org. Retrieved 18 May 2017.

[4] "No. 20660". The London Gazette. 10 November 1846. p. 3987.

[5] "13th Hussars". regiments.org. Archived from the original on 5 March 2007. Retrieved 18 May 2017.

[6] "Lygon Arms hotel". Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.

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