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 Central Bank on 10 February 1863 and knighted Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath only three weeks later. He was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath after his retirement in 1872.
Henry Francis Howard was a descendant of Lord William Howard, younger son of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk.
Sevilla Erskine, daughter of David Erskine, 2nd Baron Erskine: they had one daughter before she died in 1835. Lady Howard (as she had become) died in 1897.