Sir Richard Vyvyan, 8th Baronet

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Sir Richard Rawlinson Vyvyan, 8th Baronet (6 June 1800–15 August 1879) was a British Member of Parliament representing several constituencies in his career. He is also member of a famous Cornwall family, the Vyvyans.

From 1827 to 1831, Sir Richard represented Cornwall. From 1831 he represented Okehampton, but upon the passage of the Reform Act 1832, he moved to Bristol, serving until 1837. He later served as Member for Helston from 1841 until 1857. He served as High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1840.

The Vyvyan family have had a large estate called Trelowarren in Cornwall for over 500 years. They moved to Trelowarren in 1427 from Treviddren, St. Buryan when they acquired Trelowarren through marriage to Honora Ferrers' daughter, heir to the estate of the previous owner, Richard Ferrer. Trelowarren's first garden (at least under the Vyvyans) is recorded in 1428.

In the English Civil War (1642-1651) the Vyvyans were royalist supporters. An ancestor, Sir Richard Vyvyan (1613 -1724), head of the family during the Civil War, was given a large Vandyke painting of King Charles I (1600-1649) on horseback by King Charles II (1630-1685) in recognition of his support. That painting continues to hang in the family house in Trelowarren today.

Another Sir Richard Vyvyan (1681-1736) was imprisoned in the Tower of London by George I (1660-1727), on suspicion of favoring the "Pretender to the throne," James Francis Edward Stuart (called "James III" by his supporters).