Edward Wakefield

Edward Wakefield (1774–1854) was an English philanthropist and statistician, chiefly known as the author of Ireland, Statistical and Political, and as the father of several controversial sons. Early life Edward was the eldest son of Edward Wakefield (1750–1826) and Priscilla Bell and was born in 1774. He was the brother of Daniel Wakefield (1776–1846) and Isabella Wakefield (3 Mar 1773–17 October 1841) who married Joshua Head of Ipswich on 12 Sep 1794. Career Wakefield commenced adult life as a farmer near Romford 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.