Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Irving, Paulus Æmilius
IRVING, Sir PAULUS ÆMILIUS (1751–1828), general, born 30 Aug. 1751, was son of Lieutenant-colonel Paulus Æmilius Irving, who was wounded at Quebec when serving as major commanding the 15th foot under Wolfe, and died lieutenant-governor of Upnor Castle, Kent, in 1796. His mother was Judith, daughter of Captain William Westfield of Dover. He was appointed lieutenant in the 47th foot in 1764, became captain in 1768, and major in 1775. He served with his regiment in the affair at Lexington, at the battle of Bunker's Hill, and in Boston during the blockade. Subsequently he accompanied the regiment to Quebec, and was present in the affair at Trois Rivières and the various actions of Burgoyne's army down to the surrender at Saratoga, 17 Oct. 1777. He was afterwards detained as a prisoner of war in America for three years. He returned home in 1781, and in 1783 became lieutenant-colonel 47th foot. In 1790 he took the regiment out to the Bahamas, where he served until 1795, becoming brevet-colonel in 1791 and major-general in 1794. On the death of Sir John Vaughan, 21 June 1795, Irving succeeded to the West India command, in which he was replaced by Major-general Leigh in September of the same year. Irving then assumed the command in St. Vincent, and on 2 Oct. 1795 carried the enemy's position at La Vigie with heavy loss. He received the thanks of George III, conveyed through the Duke of York. He returned home in December 1795. He was appointed colonel of the 6th royal veteran battalion in 1802, and was afterwards transferred to the colonelcy of his old corps, the 47th (Lancashire) foot. He was created a baronet 19 Sept. 1809, became a full general in 1812, and died at Carlisle 31 Jan. 1828. Irving married, 4 Feb. 1786, Lady Elizabeth St. Lawrence, second daughter of Thomas, first earl of Howth, by whom he left two sons and a daughter. The baronetcy became extinct on the death of Irving's younger son, the third and last baronet.
[Burke's Baronetage, 1850; Appleton's Cyclop. American Biography under ‘Irving, Paulus Æmilius’ and ‘Irving, Jacob Æmilius;’ Gent. Mag. xcviii. pt. i. 269–70; Philippart's Royal Military Calendar, 1820, i. 349–50.]