EDGEWORTH, Michael Pakenham. Edgeworthstown, co. Longford, Ireland 24.5.1812 — Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides 30.7.1881. Irish Botanist and Civil Servant in India, a Pioneer of photography (from 1839). Son of Richard Lovell Edgeworth (1744–1817), scientist, politician and writer, and Frances Anne Beaufort (1769–1865). Educated at Charterhouse School in Surrey. Studied from 1827 Oriental languages and botany at Edinburgh, 1829-30 at Haileybury. Joined I.C.S. in 1831, served in Ambala and Saharanpur, travelled much in North India. In 1842-46 on leave in Europe. After some time in Baroda in 1850-59 one of the five commissioners for the settlement of the Punjab. Retired 1859 because of health problems. Died suddenly during a botanical field trip. Papers in Bodleiana. Married 1842 or 1846 (both years in Wikipedia) Christina Macpherson (1818–1881), two daughters.
Publications: “Grammar and Vocabulary of the Cashmiri Language”, JASB 10, 1841, 1038-1064; 12 articles on science in JASB 3-22.
Sources: R. Bohan & L. Lunney, D.I.B. 3, 579f.; B.D. Jackson, D.N.B. 16, 1885, 382f., *rev. by A. Grout, Oxford D.N.B.; Wikipedia with portrait.
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