Hercules Robert Pakenham

Hercules Robert Pakenham was born on 29 September 1781. He was the third son of Edward Pakenham, 2nd Baron Longford, and Hon. Catherine Rowley. His maternal grandparents included the Right Hon. Hercules Langford Rowley and Elizabeth Rowley, 1st Viscountess Langford. His paternal relatives encompassed notable family members such as Catherine Pakenham, making him brother-in-law to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington; Thomas Pakenham, 2nd Earl of Longford; and General Sir Edward Pakenham. His extended family also included the Hon. Jane Rowley, wife of Thomas Taylour, 1st Earl of Bective, and Hercules Rowley, 2nd Viscount Langford, a member of the Irish House of Commons.

Pakenham entered military service with an appointment as ensign in the 40th Regiment of Foot on 23 July 1803. He advanced to lieutenant on 3 February 1804 and transferred to the 95th Rifles in April 1804. He received his company in August 1805. His military career included participation in the expedition to Copenhagen and campaigns in Portugal. During the Battle of Roliça in August 1808, he was slightly wounded during action at Obidos. Sir Arthur Wellesley recognized his capabilities, describing him as one of the best officers of riflemen.

He was promoted to a major in the 7th West India Regiment on 30 August 1810, remaining with the Peninsular Army and serving as assistant adjutant-general of Picton's division until the fall of Badajos, where he was severely wounded. He received the Gold Cross for his service at Busaco, Fuentes d'Onoro, Ciudad Rodrigo, and Badajos. He was breveted as lieutenant-colonel on 27 April 1812 and promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the 26th Cameronians on 3 September 1812. On 25 July 1814, he transferred to the Coldstream Guards as captain and lieutenant-colonel, from which he retired on half-pay in 1817.

Later in his military career, Pakenham was appointed brevet colonel and aide-de-camp to the king on 27 May 1825. He was promoted to major-general on 10 January 1837, succeeding Sir Thomas McMahon as Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth and General Officer Commanding the South-West District in 1839. He was made colonel of the 43rd Light Infantry on 9 September 1844 and attained the rank of lieutenant-general on 9 November 1846. His honors include being made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 4 June 1815 and a Knight Commander of the same order (K.C.B.) on 19 July 1838. His medals included the Peninsular silver medal with Roleia and Vimeiro clasps.

In parallel with his military career, Pakenham served as a Member of Parliament for Westmeath from 27 February 1808 to 1826. During this period, he shifted his stance on Catholic Relief, initially opposing it but later supporting it due to changes in his constituents' opinions. He was elected again in the 1826 general election but declined the seat amid rumors related to his political stance and family relations. During his lifetime, he received compensation of £2,929 related to 217 slaves on the Blizard Estate in Antigua, following the abolition of slavery.

Pakenham married the Hon. Emily Stapleton on 25 December 1817. She was the daughter of Sir Thomas Stapleton, 6th Baronet, and Elizabeth Eliot. The couple had nine children: six sons and three daughters. Their children included Edward William Pakenham, an MP who was killed at the Battle of Inkerman in 1854; Reverend Arthur Hercules Pakenham (1824–1895); Lt.-Gen. Thomas Henry Pakenham (1826–1913); Robert Maxwell Pakenham (1834–1857); Edmund Powerscourt Pakenham (1837–1861); Lt.-Col. Charles Wellesley Pakenham (1840–1873); Emily Pakenham; Elizabeth Catherine Pakenham; and Mary Frances Hester Pakenham. Several sons died in military conflicts in India and the Crimean War.

Hercules Robert Pakenham died suddenly at his residence, Langford Lodge, County Antrim, on 7 March 1850. In 1876, the "Sir Hercules Pakenham Scholarship" and the "Emily Lady Pakenham Scholarship" were established at Queen's College, Belfast, by their son Rev. Arthur Hercules Pakenham. A stall in the Domus Dei in Portsmouth was also dedicated in his memory.