Richard Lyons, 1st Viscount Lyons

Lord Richard Bickerton Pemell Lyons (1817-1887) was the British ambassador to the United States during the War of Secession.

After Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia destroyed George McClellan's Union Army of the Potomac at Camp Hill in 1862, then moved on to take Philadelphia, Lord Lyons was ordered by Prime Minister Henry Temple Palmerston to demand on pain of war that US President Abraham Lincoln extend diplomatic recognition to the Confederate States and accept John Russell's offer of mediation to end the War of Secession. Lyons did so reluctantly, as he was deeply opposed to slavery. Lincoln, who scarcely attempted to conceal his bitterness from Lyons, asked if a proclamation abolishing the practice which he was drafting would dissuade Britain from this course. Lyons told him it would seem too desperate, and Lincoln proceeded to criticize the British aristocracy, saying they felt "A slaveocracy is better'n no 'ocracy at all." Lyons was hurt by this but continued to insist that Lincoln comply with Palmerston's ultimatum.

Lyons predicted that the US and CS would one day take their place in the world as "sturdy brothers" and that Lincoln would be remembered as a great statesman for recognizing the need to comply with London's demands; history would prove him wrong on both counts. Lincoln countered by predicting that the US would develop alliances with European states and would one day win a victory over not only the CS but Britain and France, which was supporting Palmerston; Lyons laughed in his face, but fifty-five years later, it was Lincoln's prediction that came to pass with the formation of the Central Powers and their victory in the Great War.