Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Lambart, Richard Ford William
LAMBART, RICHARD FORD WILLIAM, seventh Earl of Cavan (1763–1836), general, born 10 Sept. 1763, was only son of Richard, sixth earl, by his second wife, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of George Davies, a commissioner of the navy. He succeeded his father in the title 2 Nov. 1778. He was appointed ensign Coldstream guards 2 April 1779, lieutenant 1781, captain-lieutenant 1790, captain and lieutenant-colonel 23 Aug. 1793, second major 9 May, and first major 19 Nov. 1800, having in the meantime attained major-general's rank in 1798. His name is not in the roll of the officers of his regiment who served in America (Mackinnon, vol. ii.). He was wounded at Valenciennes 3 Jan. 1793, commanded a brigade in Ireland (Londonderry) in 1798–9, and in the Ferrol expedition and before Cadiz in 1800. He commanded a line brigade in Egypt in 1801, and when General Ludlow [see Ludlow, George James, third Earl Ludlow] was removed to a brigade of the line on 9 Aug., Cavan succeeded to the command of the brigade of guards. As part of Eyre Coote's division the brigade was sent to attack Alexandria from the westward. The city surrendered 2 Sept. 1801. When Lord Hutchinson [see Hely-Hutchinson, John, second Earl of Donoughmore] left in October, Cavan succeeded to the command of the whole army remaining in Egypt, including the troops under David (afterwards Sir David) Baird [q. v.] Cavan held a brigade command in the eastern counties in England during the invasion alarms of 1803–4, and in 1805 was lieutenant-general commanding in the Isle of Wight. Cavan was a knight of the Crescent, and was one of the six officers, besides Lord Nelson, who received the diamond aigrette. He became a full general in 1814, and was in succession colonel-commandant of a second battalion 68th foot, and colonel of the 2nd West Indian and 45th regiments. He was governor of Calshot Castle, Hampshire. Cavan died in London 21 Nov. 1836. He married, first, in 1782, Honora Margaretta, youngest daughter and coheiress of Sir Henry Gould the younger [q. v.] (she died in 1813); and secondly, in 1814, Lydia, second daughter of William Arnold of Slatswood, Isle of Wight. He left issue by both marriages.
[Foster's Peerage under ‘Cavan;’ Mackinnon's Coldstream Guards, London, 1832, vol. ii.; Gent. Mag. 1838, new ser. ix. 92.]