Nicholas Vivian, 6th Baron Vivian


Brigadier Nicholas Crespigny Laurence Vivian, 6th Baron Vivian was a British peer and soldier from the Vivian family. He was one of the hereditary peers elected to remain in the House of Lords after the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999, sitting as a Conservative.

Early life

The son of the 5th Baron Vivian and Victoria Ruth Mary Rosamund, Nicholas was educated at Ludgrove School, then at Eton College in Berkshire and the Madrid University, where he received a diploma in Spanish Literature, History and Culture.

Biography

Military career

In 1955, Vivian was commissioned to the 3rd Carabiniers, which later merged with the Royal Scots Greys into the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.
In 1957 he transferred to a Regular Army commission. From 1976, he commanded the 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers. Having then worked for defence intelligence staff at the UK Ministry of Defence, Vivian became deputy commander of the land forces in Cyprus in 1984. Elevated to the rank of Brigadier in 1987, he commanded the British Communication Zone until 1990, when he stepped down. Shortly after this, he was promoted Honorary Colonel of 306 Field Hospital, Territorial Army.

Political career

In 1991, Vivian succeeded to his father's titles and joined the House of Lords, where he was Shadow Minister for Defence. Between 1994 and 2000, he was Commissioner for the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

Personal life

Vivian married firstly Catherine Joyce Hope, daughter of James Kenneth Hope, on 13 December 1960. Being divorced in 1972, he married secondly Carol Martineau, daughter of Frederick Alan Martineau, in 1972.
He had one son, Charles and one daughter, Henrietta, by his first wife, and two daughters by his second wife, Natasha and Camilla.