He was elected to the House of Commons for Cheshire West in 1868 (succeeding his father), a constituency he represented until 1885.
In 1890 he succeeded his father as second Baron Tollemache and took his seat in the House of Lords.
Lord Tollemache married twice, and left four sons and two daughters[1] by his first wife.
Lyonel Plantagenet Tollemache (1860–1902) died in August 1902 after he fainted while taking a swim.
He was married to Lady Blanche Sybil King (1862–1923), only daughter and heiress of Robert King, 7th Earl of Kingston, and left two sons.