Edward Ledwich
Edward Ledwich LL.D. F.S.A. (1738 – 8 August 1823) was an Irish historian, antiquary and topographer.
Life
He was born in Dublin, the son of John Ledwich, a merchant. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, entering on 22 November 1755, and taking a B.A. in 1760 and a LL.B. in 1763.
He became vicar of Aghaboe in 1772, which he must have resigned in 1797, as his successor was then appointed.
His article on the History and Antiquities of Irishtown and Kilkenny was published in 1781. The same article is appended to the second edition of his Antiquities of Ireland, 1804.
In 1790 he published his Antiquities of Ireland, which became a work of great repute in its day. However, nowadays it has no authority, through the imperfect information regarding Irish history current in his day. His theories were effectually set aside by Petrie and later writers. In the index to Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History there are no fewer than ninety-five references to errors made by Ledwich.
In 1791 Ledwich completed the editing and publication of his friend Captain Grose's Antiquities of Ireland.
He died at his house in York Street, Dublin, on 8 August 1823.
References
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