John Henry Vivian

For other people of a similar name, see John Vivian.

Statue of John Henry Vivian in Ferrara Square, Swansea

John Henry Vivian FRS (9 August 1785 – 10 February 1855) was a Welsh industrialist and politician of Cornish extraction. He was a member of the Vivian family.

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 Hussey Vivian, 1st Baron Vivian. He owned copper mining, copper smelting and trading businesses in Swansea (Vivian & Sons), Liverpool, Birmingham and London. Between 1832 and 1855 he sat as Member of Parliament for Swansea District. He was a fellow of the Royal Society, a major in the Royal Stannary Artillery, a justice of the peace and a deputy lieutenant.[1]

Vivian married Sarah, eldest daughter of Arthur Jones, of Reigate on 30 October 1816. Their eight children included Henry Vivian, 1st Baron Swansea, Sir Arthur Vivian and Glynn Vivian. He died on 10 February 1855. His wife survived him by over 30 years and died on 8 September 1886.

The mineral vivianite (Fe3(PO4)2•8(H2O)) is named in his honour.

Arms

Coat of arms of John Henry Vivian
Crest
Issuant from a bridge of one arch embattled and having at each end a tower Proper, a demi-hussar in the uniform of the 18th regiment, holding in his right hand a sabre and in his left a red pennon flying to the sinister.
Escutcheon
Or, on a chevron azure between three lions' heads erased Proper, as many annulets Gold ; on a chief embattled Gules a wreath of oak Or between two martlets Argent.
Motto
Vive Revicturus (Live, as one about to live hereafter)

References

  1. ^ Burke (1928)

Further reading

  • Burke, Sir Bernard; Burke, Ashworth P. (1928). Burke's Peerage. London: Burke’s Peerage Ltd.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
New constituency Member of Parliament for Swansea District
1832–1855 		Succeeded by