Edward Wakefield (1774–1854) was an English philanthropist and statistician, chiefly known as the author of Ireland, Statistical and Political, and as the father of several controversial sons.
[1] Wakefield commenced adult life as a farmer near Romford in Essex, and was subsequently employed under the naval arsenal.
He was a strong advocate of the educational theories of Joseph Lancaster, and was on terms of intimacy with James Mill and Francis Place.
The book was undertaken in 1808 at the suggestion of John Foster, 1st Baron Oriel, formerly chancellor of the Irish exchequer, and Wakefield devoted four years to the task.
Wakefield was a warm admirer of Pitt, by whom he is said to have been consulted in regard to Ireland, and was also confidentially employed by Lord Melville (see Robert Saunders Dundas).