He was the son of Reverend Thomas Vivian (died 17 March 1793)[2] and Mary Hussey (1 February 1719 – circa 24 December 1807), of Truro St. Mary, Cornwall,[3] who had been married on 30 November 1747 at Kenwyn, Cornwall.
[2] About 1800, John Vivian moved from Truro in Cornwall to Swansea in South Wales and assumed the post of managing partner in the copper works at Penclawdd and Loughor owned by the Cheadle Brasswire Company of Staffordshire.
By 1806 his second son, John Henry Vivian (1785–1855), was made manager of the copper works at Penclawdd.
Richard was the older but was fully occupied in his military career; it was John Henry who became managing partner in the company.
[4][5] Richard later commanded the 6th Brigade of the Earl of Uxbridge's Cavalry Division in the Battle of Waterloo and was created Baron Vivian in 1841.