thumb|[[Heraldic achievement of Lieutenant General (Richard) Hussey Vivian, 1st Baron Vivian; blazon: Or, on a chevron azure between three lion's heads erased proper as many annulets of the first on a chief embattled gules a wreath of oak of the first between two medals that on the dexter representing the gold medal and clasp given to the first baron for his services in the actions of Sahagreen, Benevente and Orthes and that on the sinister the silver Waterloo medal. An example of debased heraldry. They are a differenced version of the arms of Vivian of Truro in Cornwall. Also shown is an inescutcheon with the Red Hand of Ulster referencing his baronetcy.]]

Lieutenant-General Richard Hussey Vivian, 1st Baron Vivian (28 July 1775 – 20 August 1842), known as Sir Hussey Vivian from 1815 to 1828 and Sir Hussey Vivian, Bt, from 1828 to 1841, was a British cavalry leader from the Vivian family.

Early career

Vivian was the son of John Vivian (1750–1826), of Truro, Cornwall, and his wife Betsey, daughter of the Reverend Richard Cranch, and the brother of John Henry Vivian. He was educated at Truro Grammar School, then at Harrow and Exeter College, Oxford, Vivian entered the army in 1793, and less than a year later became a captain in the 28th Foot. Under Lord Moira he served in the campaign of 1794 in Flanders and the Netherlands. At the end of the expedition, the 28th bore a distinguished part in Lord Cathcart's action of Geldermalsen. In 1798 Vivian was transferred to the 7th Light Dragoons (later Hussars), and in Sir Ralph Abercromby's division was present in the Helder campaign in Holland at the battles of Bergen and Alkmaar (19 September to 6 October 1799).

Peninsular War

In 1800, he received his majority, and in 1804 he became lieutenant colonel of the 7th. In command of this regiment he sailed to join Lieutenant-General Sir David Baird at Corunna in 1808, and took part in Lord Henry Paget's cavalry fights at Sahagún and Benavente. During the retreat of Lieut-General Sir John Moore's army the 7th were constantly employed with the rearguard. Vivian was present at the Battle of Corunna, and returned with the remainder of the army to England. It was not until September 1813 that the 7th returned to the Peninsula. On 24 November, Vivian (now colonel and aide-de-camp to the Prince Regent) was appointed to command a light cavalry brigade (13th and 14th Light Dragoons) under Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount Hill in Wellington's army. With this corps he served at the Battle of the Nive (9–13 December). he had been a major general for several months. After the enemy were repulsed, Vivian's hussars made the final charge of the day between Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte, sweeping the Middle Guard and Line units before them before breaking upon the squares of the Old Guard, which they soon learned to avoid. This service was rewarded by the thanks of both houses of Parliament, an award of the KCH, and the Orders of Maria Theresa and St. Vladimir from the emperors of Austria and Russia.

From 1825 to 1830 he was Inspector-General of the Cavalry and in 1830 was appointed a Groom of the Bedchamber, serving King William IV throughout his reign until 1837, after which he was promoted Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB). In 1835 he became Master-General of the Ordnance (until 1841) and was sworn of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom the same year. In 1837 he was elected MP for East Cornwall, sitting until 1841.

He was created a baronet of Truro in the County of Cornwall in 1827. In 1841, he was elected to the Royal Society as a Fellow in February and was raised to the peerage as Baron Vivian, of Glynn and of Truro in the County of Cornwall in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in August.

A year later he died at Baden-Baden with whom he had the following children:

  • Charles Crespigny Vivian, 2nd Baron Vivian (1808–1886)
  • Charlotte Eliza Vivian (1815–1877), who married General Charles George James Arbuthnot
  • John Cranch Walker Vivian (1818–1879), Liberal politician
  • Jane Frances Anne Vivian (1824–1860), who married Henry Hodgetts-Foley
  • Georgina Agnes Augusta Vivian (1828–1835)

He married secondly Letitia Webster, daughter of Rev. James Agnew Webster, and had at least one child:

  • Lalage Letitia Caroline Vivian (1835–1875), who married Henry Hyde Nugent Bankes

A natural son, Sir Robert Vivian (1802–1887), was brought up as one of the family. He had a distinguished military career in India.