Early Life
Maria Edgeworth
Portrait of a young Maria Edgeworth from an original etching, artist unknown.
Maria Edgeworth
Maria Edgeworth
Portrait of a young Maria Edgeworth from an original etching, artist unknown.
Maria Edgeworth was born outside Oxford in England on January 1 1767. She was the second eldest of twenty-two children born to Anglo-Irish Richard Lovell Edgeworth.
The majority of her eighty-three years were spent in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford. Her mother, Anna Maria Elers (1743-1773) died when Maria was six. Her father went on to marry three further times.
The majority of her eighty-three years were spent in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford. Her mother, Anna Maria Elers (1743-1773) died when Maria was six. Her father went on to marry three further times.
Richard Lovell Edgeworth
When she was a small child, various attempts were made to encourage Maria's growth, including hanging her by the neck. She remained small in stature. Maria did very well at school and had a reputation among her friends as a storyteller. Her father, who was an advanced thinker for his time, took a strong interest in her educational progress and encouraged her writing. Maria was outspoken and known for her wit and social grace.
Later Years
Letter from Maria Edgeworth to Mrs Powell
A letter from Maria Edgeworth to Mrs Powell, who was the wife of the Reverend John Powell, Church of Ireland minister in Edgeworthstown. Reverend Powell was a prominent figure in providing relief to those affected by the Famine.
Letter from Maria Edgeworth to Mrs Powell
Letter from Maria Edgeworth to Mrs Powell
A letter from Maria Edgeworth to Mrs Powell, who was the wife of the Reverend John Powell, Church of Ireland minister in Edgeworthstown. Reverend Powell was a prominent figure in providing relief to those affected by the Famine.
Maria Edgeworth's writing career began offically in 1795, with her first published work, Letters for Literary Ladies. She wrote on a wide range of topics and was heavily influenced by her wide reading, encouraged by her father and many members of her social and family network. Her best partnership was with her father and they published a number of books together on education and other matters.
Edgeworthstown's Poor During the Great Famine
A sketch of Edgeworthstown's poor during the Great Famine. This was taken as they assembled for soup in February of 1847.
Image courtesy of Longford County Library.Edgeworthstown's Poor During the Great Famine
Image courtesy of Longford County Library.
Image courtesy of Longford County Library.
Edgeworthstown's Poor During the Great Famine
A sketch of Edgeworthstown's poor during the Great Famine. This was taken as they assembled for soup in February of 1847.
Image courtesy of Longford County Library.Maria's charitable efforts during the Famine years earned her much praise. However, she did not live to see Ireland in the post-Famine era. Various events in her life can be traced from her letters, many of which still survive.
Maria Edgeworth died in 1849 and was buried alongside her father in the family vault. This is located in the churchyard of St. Johns, Edgeworthstown, where Isolda Wilde, sister of Oscar Wilde, is also buried. St. John's Church was founded by Maria Edgeworth's father, Richard Lovell Edgeworth.