Vivian was the second son of the Lieutenant-general Sir
Richard Hussey Vivian and his first wife Eliza De Crespigny, daughter of Philip Campion De Crespigny. Born at the Château de Rosamel in
Frencq, France, he was educated at
Eton College and joined the
11th Hussars as cornet in February 1836. He became a lieutenant in December 1837, captain in April 1840 and retired in 1842. Vivian was a
deputy lieutenant and
JP for Cornwall. Vivian was elected
Member of Parliament for
Penryn and Falmouth in July 1841 and held the seat until July 1847. He was elected MP for
Bodmin in April 1857 and held the seat until May 1859, when he stood unsuccessfully at
Truro. At the
1865 general election he was elected
Member of Parliament for Truro and he held the seat until 1871. He was appointed a
Lord of the Treasury in December 1868, holding office until 1870 when he was appointed
Financial Secretary to the War Office. He held that office until 1871 when he was appointed
Under-Secretary of State for War, thereby vacating his seat. Vivian died at the age of 60 at his home at The Priory,
Richmond, London, leaving a personal estate of less than £1,000 to his widow. == Family ==