Journalist, editor, philanthropist. Those are just a few words to describe the man commemorated by this John Passmore Edwards Blue plaque. The John Passmore Edwards Blue plaque commemorates John Passmore Edwards. He was born in Blackwater Cornwall in 1823. Let’s delve into the story of this remarkable man.
John Passmore Edwards was not born into wealth. His father was a Cornish carpenter. His mother was from Devon. Young John had limited access to books. He reportedly purchased Newton’s Opticks at age twelve. He quipped he was no wiser after reading it.
In 1844, John Passmore Edwards became the Manchester representative for the London Sentinel. The newspaper opposed the Corn Laws. These laws kept corn prices high. The paper failed within a year. By 1845, he was in London. He supported himself through freelance writing and lecturing. He advocated for social reform.
His early publishing ventures failed. He faced bankruptcy in 1853. However, his fortunes changed in 1862. He purchased The Building News and Engineering Journal. Later, he acquired a shareholding in The Echo. He bought the entire paper back when disagreements arose with Andrew Carnegie.
John Passmore Edwards entered politics. He became a Member of Parliament for Salisbury in 1880. He grew disillusioned with professional politics. He questioned politicians’ ability to represent their constituents. His opposition to the Second Boer War further diminished his popularity. He twice declined a knighthood.
Frustrated with politics, John Passmore Edwards turned to philanthropy. He became a champion of the working classes. Over 14 years, he funded around 70 major buildings. These included hospitals, libraries, schools, and art galleries. Many still serve their communities today. Libraries were built in Bodmin, Falmouth, and Truro.
He also funded the Passmore Edwards Settlement. It later became the Mary Ward Centre. He supported the Workers’ Educational Association. Many of his buildings were designed by Maurice Bingham Adams. Adams also edited one of his journals.
John Passmore Edwards died in 1911. He was a Freemason, a teetotaler, and a vegetarian. The Times rightly stated he did more good than most of his contemporaries. His wealth was not vast. Yet, he used it to uplift others. The John Passmore Edwards Blue plaque serves as a reminder of his generosity. It commemorates his commitment to journalism, social reform, and philanthropy.