Edward Wakefield (1774–1854)
Encyclopedia
Edward Wakefield was an English philanthropist and statistician, chiefly known as the author of Ireland, Statistical and Political, and as the father of several controversial sons.
in Essex, and was subsequently employed under the naval arsenal. In 1814 he established himself as a land agent at 42 Pall Mall. He soon became well known as an authority on agriculture, while his interest in education won for him the character of a practical philanthropist.
He was a strong advocate of the educational theories of Joseph Lancaster
, and was on terms of intimacy with James Mill
and Francis Place
. Wakefield is best known as the author of Ireland, Statistical and Political, published in 1812, a work which, in spite of many inaccuracies, is, from the candour and tolerance it displays, a very valuable account of Ireland in the early years of the nineteenth century. The book was undertaken in 1808 at the suggestion of John Foster, 1st Baron Oriel
, formerly chancellor of the Irish exchequer, and Wakefield devoted four years to the task. Mackintosh in the Edinburgh Review
, while noting its defects in matters of detail, said of this work that "few books have stronger marks of the candour and probity of the writer;" and McCulloch called it "the best and most complete work on Ireland since Arthur Young's tour". Wakefield was a warm admirer of Pitt, by whom he is said to have been consulted in regard to Ireland, and was also confidentially employed by Lord Melville (see Robert Saunders Dundas).
Wakefield died at Knightsbridge
on 18 May 1854. His appearance in later life is described as that of "a beautiful old man of lofty stature".
Wakefield married, first, on 3 Oct. 1791, Susanna Crash (d. 1816) of Felstead, Essex, by whom he was the father of ten children, including five particularly notable ones:
He married his second wife , Frances, in 1822, she was the daughter of David Davies, headmaster of Macclesfield grammar school.
Life
Edward was the eldest son of Edward Wakefield (1750–1826) and Priscilla Bell, and was born in 1774. Wakefield commenced life as a farmer near RomfordRomford
Romford is a large suburban town in north east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Havering. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan...
in Essex, and was subsequently employed under the naval arsenal. In 1814 he established himself as a land agent at 42 Pall Mall. He soon became well known as an authority on agriculture, while his interest in education won for him the character of a practical philanthropist.
He was a strong advocate of the educational theories of Joseph Lancaster
Joseph Lancaster
Joseph Lancaster was an English Quaker and public education innovator.-Life:Lancaster was born the son of a shopkeeper in Southwark, south London....
, and was on terms of intimacy with James Mill
James Mill
James Mill was a Scottish historian, economist, political theorist, and philosopher. He was a founder of classical economics, together with David Ricardo, and the father of influential philosopher of classical liberalism, John Stuart Mill.-Life:Mill was born at Northwater Bridge, in the parish of...
and Francis Place
Francis Place
Francis Place was an English social reformer.-Early career and influence:Born in the debtor's prison which his father oversaw near Drury Lane, Place was schooled for ten years before being apprenticed to a leather-breeches maker. At eighteen he was an independent journeyman, and in 1790 was...
. Wakefield is best known as the author of Ireland, Statistical and Political, published in 1812, a work which, in spite of many inaccuracies, is, from the candour and tolerance it displays, a very valuable account of Ireland in the early years of the nineteenth century. The book was undertaken in 1808 at the suggestion of John Foster, 1st Baron Oriel
John Foster, 1st Baron Oriel
John Foster, 1st Baron Oriel was an Irish peer and politician.He was the son of Anthony Foster of Louth, an Irish judge . He was elected Member of Parliament to the Irish House of Commons for Dunleer in 1761, a seat he held until 1769...
, formerly chancellor of the Irish exchequer, and Wakefield devoted four years to the task. Mackintosh in the Edinburgh Review
Edinburgh Review
The Edinburgh Review, founded in 1802, was one of the most influential British magazines of the 19th century. It ceased publication in 1929. The magazine took its Latin motto judex damnatur ubi nocens absolvitur from Publilius Syrus.In 1984, the Scottish cultural magazine New Edinburgh Review,...
, while noting its defects in matters of detail, said of this work that "few books have stronger marks of the candour and probity of the writer;" and McCulloch called it "the best and most complete work on Ireland since Arthur Young's tour". Wakefield was a warm admirer of Pitt, by whom he is said to have been consulted in regard to Ireland, and was also confidentially employed by Lord Melville (see Robert Saunders Dundas).
Wakefield died at Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is a road which gives its name to an exclusive district lying to the west of central London. The road runs along the south side of Hyde Park, west from Hyde Park Corner, spanning the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
on 18 May 1854. His appearance in later life is described as that of "a beautiful old man of lofty stature".
Wakefield married, first, on 3 Oct. 1791, Susanna Crash (d. 1816) of Felstead, Essex, by whom he was the father of ten children, including five particularly notable ones:
- Edward Gibbon WakefieldEdward Gibbon WakefieldEdward Gibbon Wakefield was a British politician, the driving force behind much of the early colonisation of South Australia, and later New Zealand....
- Daniel Bell WakefieldDaniel Bell WakefieldDaniel Bell Wakefield was a notable judge in New Zealand during the mid-19th century.Wakefield was the second child of Edward Wakefield and Susanna, née Crash ....
- William Hayward Wakefield
- Arthur WakefieldArthur WakefieldCaptain Arthur Wakefield served with the Royal Navy, before joining his brother, Edward Gibbon Wakefield, in founding the new settlement at Nelson, New Zealand.-Royal Navy:...
- Felix WakefieldFelix WakefieldFelix Wakefield, , was the seventh child of Edward Wakefield and Susanna Crash of Felstead, he was the brother of Arthur and Edward Gibbon Wakefield. In 1831 he married Marie Bailley, by whom he had nine children.When he left school Felix began working with his father and training as a surveyor...
He married his second wife , Frances, in 1822, she was the daughter of David Davies, headmaster of Macclesfield grammar school.