He was one of ten children born to Stephen Cooper Dendy and Miramne Dubbins in Horsham, Sussex, England.
He kept a diary for a number of years that reveals a great deal not only about his daily life and work, but also about his activities with the Howard-Gibbon family.
Edward became an officer in the College when appointed as Rouge Dragon Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary in 1848.
He assisted Garter King of Arms, Sir Charles Young, on missions to Turkey and Prussia.
He was responsible for compiling most of the information up to that time on the long line of Dendy families living in Sussex and adjacent counties.