Edmund Waterton facts for kids
Edmund Waterton (1830–1887) was a British person who loved studying old things. He was known as an antiquary. He was born at Walton Hall, West Yorkshire, and was the only child of Charles Waterton, who was also famous for his travels and nature studies.
Edmund was a Catholic his whole life and went to Stonyhurst College for his education. He received special honors, including being a Knight of the Supreme Order of Christ and a Knight of Malta. These were important titles given by the Church. He was also a Papal Privy Chamberlain, which meant he had a special role serving the Pope.
Contents
Who Was Edmund Waterton?
Edmund Waterton was an expert in old objects and history. He spent his life collecting and studying many interesting items. Being a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries meant he was part of a group of people who shared this passion for history and old artifacts.
His Family Life
In 1862, Edmund married Josephine Ennis. She was the daughter of Sir John Ennis, 1st Baronet, who was an important politician in Ireland. After Josephine passed away, Edmund married again in 1881 to Ellen Mercer.
Challenges and Changes
Later in his life, Edmund faced some financial difficulties. Because of this, he had to sell his family home, Walton Hall, in 1876. This was a big change for him and his family.
What Did He Collect?
Edmund Waterton was famous for his amazing collections. He loved to gather unique and historical items.
His Ring Collection
One of his most famous collections was his rings. He had many different kinds of rings, some of which were very old and rare. Today, some of these rings can be seen at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It's a great place to see art and historical objects.
His Book Collection
Edmund also collected many different versions of a famous book called The Imitation of Christ. This book is about Christian teachings and has been very popular for centuries. His collection of these books is now a very important part of the Edmund Waterton Collection at the British Library. The British Library is one of the biggest libraries in the world.
Legacy
Edmund Waterton passed away in 1887. He is remembered for his dedication to studying history and for his incredible collections, which continue to be studied and enjoyed by people today. His work helped preserve important historical items for future generations.
