John Passmore Edwards

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John Passmore Edwards (March 24, 1823 - 1911) was a Victorian journalist and philanthropist. He was born in Blackwater, a small village, situated between Redruth and Truro, in Cornwall, the son of a carpenter.

Passmore Edwards Cottage Hospital in Acton, London. Built c. 1900, it is an example of Passmore Edwards' philanthropy. (September 2006)

[edit] Biography

His mother's maiden name was Passmore and she originated fron Newton Abbot, Devon. He became a City journalist on the Manchester Sentinel, a Liberal Member of Parliament for Salisbury, and the editor of a leading London newspaper The London Echo which he had bought in 1876. His publishing ventures had been failures for a time, but his 1862 purchase of Building News lead to profitability.

He was a delegate to peace congresses in Brussels, Paris, and Frankfort (from 1848 to 1850). He stood as an Independent candidate for Truro in the General Election of 1868. He didn't win this seat but in 1880 he gained the parliamentary seat of Salisbury. However, he soon became a bit sceptical about the quality of professional politics and the inability of politicians to effectively represent the interests of their constituents. He twice refused knighthood, and his opposition to the Boer War made him somewhat unpopular.

A life-long champion of the working classes, Passmore Edwards is remembered as a generous benefactor. Over the space of 14 years, 70 major buildings were established as a direct result of his bequests. These included hospitals, 23 libraries, schools, convalescence homes and art galleries and the Passmore Edwards Settlement.

[edit] External links

• John Passmore Edwards 1823-1911 His life and Philanthropic works
• Whitechapel Ghosts from Jewish Quarterly

[edit] References

• Baynes, Peter John Passmore Edwards 1823-1911: An Account of His Life and Works, PA Baynes (1995) ISBN 0-9526231-0-2
• Best, R. S. The life and good deeds of John Passmore Edwards, Dyllansow Truran (1982) ISBN 0-907566-18-9
• Burrage, E H J Passmore Edwards, philanthropist (1902)
• Edwards, J P A few footprints (1906)
• MacDonald, J J Passmore Edwards Institutions, Strand Newspaper Company (1900)

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