One of the first recipients of the Victoria Cross. Born in Edinburgh, the only surviving son of John Hope, Lord Chief Justice Clerk of Scotland (1794 - 1858), Hope was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. He enlisted in the British Army (the 7th Regiment of Foot) on his 21st birthday and within weeks was fighting in the Crimean War. Having rescued a wounded fellow officer while under heavy fire, Hope found himself among the first ever recipients of the Victoria Cross. This was presented it to him by Queen Victoria in Hyde Park on 26th June 1857.
He married Margaret Jane Cunninghame Graham of Gartmore, aunt of the author and traveller 'Don Roberto', Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham (1852 - 1936). Hope went on to become a Colonel commanding the 1st City of London Artillery Volunteers and became military attaché to the diplomat Francis, Lord Napier (1819-98).
Hope died at Chelsea and was buried in Brompton Cemetery in West London.
