Edgeworth Family Papers

Reference code: P1
Title: Papers of the Edgeworth family
Dates: 1727-1894
Level of description: Fonds
Extent: 22 items

Historical Statement

The Edgeworth family seems to have originated at Edgware in Middlesex. Two brothers, Edward and Francis, arrived in Ireland in about 1583. Francis (died in 1627) was granted land near Mostrim (later Edgeworthstown), county Longford in 1619, during the plantation of the county.

Francis’s great-grandson was Richard (1701-70). His son, Richard Lovell (1744-1817), was a noted scientist, educationalist and writer. Richard’s daughter was the novelist Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849), author of classics including Castle Rackrent (1800) and The Absentee (1812). Like her father, she was interested in a variety of subjects and had contact with many of the leading writers and people of letters of her time. Many of her works reflect her keen awareness of social, economic and political issues.

In due course, Maria’s half-nephew, Antonio Eroles Edgeworth (1841-1911) inherited the property.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Edgeworth Papers were acquired by the Longford-Westmeath Joint Library Service mostly by purchase and in instalments. The items concerning Antonio Eroles Edgeworth were apparently deposited by the late Mrs Myra McElderry, who was secretary of the Edgeworth Society in the late 1960s.

Scope, Structure and Content

The collection relates to three family members: Richard Edgeworth, his granddaughter Maria, and her half-nephew, Antonio Eroles.
Richard: two account books kept by him,1727-32.
Maria: letters and notes to acquaintances, 1815-49.
Antonio Eroles: letters to him regarding Mullingar District Asylum,1894.

Conditions of Access and Use

Conditions governing access: Available in the reading room, Library HQ
Language: English
Finding aid: Descriptive list