Sir Henry Francis Howard (3 November 1809 – 28 January 1898) was a British diplomat who was envoy to several countries. He was a member of the aristocratic Howard family, influential Catholic nobility.
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Early life and family
Howard was born at Corby Castle, Cumberland, the second son of antiquarian Henry Howard and his second wife, Catherine Mary Neave, daughter of Sir Richard Neave, 1st Baronet. His elder brother Philip Henry Howard (1801–1883), who became a Member of Parliament for Carlisle.
Howard was a male-line descendant of the Dukes of Norfolk through Lord William Howard, younger son of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk by his second wife.
Career
Howard entered the Diplomatic Service in 1828. He was Secretary of the British legation at The Hague 1845–1846 and at Berlin 1846–1853; Minister to Brazil 1853–1855; Minister to Portugal 1855–1859; Minister to Hanover 1859–1866; and finally was the last British Minister to the Kingdom of Bavaria 1866–1872 (the post was downgraded to chargé d'affaires after Bavaria joined the German Empire).
Howard was appointed CB on 10 February 1863 and knighted KCB only three weeks later. He was promoted to GCB after his retirement in 1872.