The Honourable William Lygon Pakenham was born on 31 Jan 1819, the second son of Thomas Pakenham, 2nd Earl of Longford. His mother was Lady Georgiana Emma Charlotte Lygon, daughter of the Earl of Beauchamp. He was educated at Winchester College. He entered the army on 25 Aug 1837 as an ensign in the 52nd Oxfordshire Light Infantry. A year later he exchanged to the 7th Royal Fusiliers as a lieutenant. He was a captain in January 1844 and a major in July 1852.
He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel on 12 Dec 1854 and served in the Crimea on the staff of General Estcourt, first as Assistant QMG, then Assistant Adjutant-General, and awarded the CB. He was also a staff officer in the Indian Mutiny where he was Adjutant-General.
He succeeded his brother Edward who died in March 1860, to become 4th Earl of Longford. In 1861 he was created KCB, elevated to GCB in 1881. He was a conservative politician and staunch Unionist in the House of Lords, and appointed Under Secretary of State for War in both Lord Derby’s and Disraeli’s government.
He was married in 1862 to the Hon. Selina Rice-Trevor, daughter of Lord Dynevor. They had 4 children and lived on their estate in County Westmeath. He was Colonel of the Northumberland Fusiliers from 11 Sep 1878 until his death on 19 April 1887. He died of pneumonia at his London home at 24 Bruton Street,
The photo is a detail from a photo by Roger Fenton taken in 1855 in the Crimea, of General Estcourt and his staff. The Hon. William Pakenham CB, promoted to full colonel on 17 July 1855, wears a frock coat and forage cap.
