sketcher, actor and entomologist, was born in Ross, Monmouthshire, Wales. He came to Melbourne in the early 1850s and made his stage debut as an actor with George Selth Coppin’s company at the Queen’s Theatre in 1855. Later he was a member of G.V. Brooke’s company. In December 1858 Edwards made a balloon ascent in Sydney. His lifelong hobby was entomology, and while in Sydney he became friendly with the naturalist and collector (Sir) William Macleay (1820-91) and, according to his surviving correspondence (American Museum of Natural History, New York), drew natural history sketches in Australia. None have been located.
Edwards went to California in 1867 and there became well known as an actor. He briefly returned to Melbourne in October 1889. Ultimately he owned one of the largest insect collections in the United States and compiled a catalogue of North American lepidoptera. He died in New York in July 1891.
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- Writers:
- Staff Writer
- Date written:
- 1992
- Last updated:
- 2011
