Background
Hardinge was the son of Field Marshal Henry Hardinge, 1st Viscount Hardinge, and Lady Emily Jane, daughter of Robert Stewart, 1st Marquess of Londonderry.
Hardinge was the son of Field Marshal Henry Hardinge, 1st Viscount Hardinge, and Lady Emily Jane, daughter of Robert Stewart, 1st Marquess of Londonderry.
Lord Hardinge married Lady Lavinia, daughter of George Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan, in 1856. Their second son the Honorary Charles was raised to the peerage in his own right as Baron Hardinge of Penshurst in 1910.
Lord Hardinge remained a widower until his death in July 1894, aged 71.
Hardinge authored the biography of his father, Sir Henry Hardinge in 1891 for the Rulers of India series.
15th United Kingdom Parliament. 16th United Kingdom Parliament]
Hardinge was elected Member of Parliament for Downpatrick in 1851, a seat he held until 1856, when he succeeded his father in the viscountcy and entered the House of Lords.