Family and Education

b. 15 May 1757, 2nd s. of John Hely Hutchinson, MP [I], and bro. of Hon. Christopher Hely Hutchinson*. educ. Eton 1767-73; Magdalen Coll. Oxf. 1773; Strasbourg mil. acad. unm. KB 28 May 1801; cr. Baron Hutchinson 16 Dec. 1801; GCB 2 Jan. 1815; suc. bro. Richard as 2nd Earl of Donoughmore and 2nd Visct. Hutchinson [I] 22 Aug. 1825.

Offices Held

MP [I] 1776-83, 1789-1800.

Cornet 18 Drag. 1774, lt. 1775; capt. 67 Ft. 1776, maj. 1781; lt.-col. 77 Ft. 1783; col. 94 Ft. 1794, maj.-gen. 1796; col 40 Ft. 1799, lt.-gen. 1803; col. 74 Ft. 1803, 57 Ft. 1805, 18 R. Irish Ft. 1811; gen. 1813.

C.-in-c. Egypt 1801; mission to Berlin and St. Petersburg 1806-7.

Gov. Londonderry and Culmore Mar.-Apr. 1806, Stirling Castle 1806-32; ld. lt. Tipperary 1831-2.

Biography

Hely Hutchinson combined a military career with Irish parliamentary service, sitting for Cork from 1790. In 1793 he was a ‘doubtful’ supporter of ministers but by 1795 there was no doubt in their minds about him. He spoke and voted for the Union in 1799 and was returned to Westminster for Cork, reckoned a government supporter. It is unlikely that he took his seat, as he served in Egypt under Abercromby in 1801. There he so distinguished himself as to receive the thanks of the House on 18 May, 30 Oct. and 12 Nov. 1801 and to be given a peerage in December. His elder brother Lord Donoughmore, a champion of Catholic relief, was already an Irish representative peer. Hutchinson, who was awarded a pension of £2,000 a year in June 1802, belonged to the Carlton House set and counselled the Whigs on military affairs. He died 29 June 1832.

Debrett (ser. 3), xviii. 690; Prince of Wales Corresp. iv. 1772.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: Arthur Aspinall

Notes