Papers of the Edgeworth family

Context

Creator(s): Edgeworth, Richard Edgeworth, Maria Edgeworth, Antonio Eroles

• Administrative History ↴

  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 (1701-1770). His son, Richard Lovell (1744-1817), was a noted scientist, educationalist and writer. Richard’s daughter was the novelist Maria Edgeworth (1767-1849), 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 nephew, Antonio Eroles Edgeworth (1841-1911) inherited the property.

• Archival History ↴

  The two Richard Edgeworth account books were acquired by Longford-Westmeath Joint Library Committee probably by donation. The Maria Edgeworth notes and letters were purchased by the library, all seemingly in the 1960s. The three items concerning Antonio Eroles Edgeworth were deposited by Mrs Myra McElderry, Prospect, Co. Kildare.

• Immediate Source Acquisition ↴

  Donation