[2][3] Edwards attended the University of Vermont (UVM) from 1840 to 1841, then decided to leave college and prepare for a career as an attorney.

[2] In addition to practicing law, Edwards became active in politics as a Whig, and he served as State's Attorney of Orleans County from 1849 to 1850.

[2] After the demise of the Whigs in 1856, Edwards joined the Democratic Party, and he was a delegate to the 1857 state constitutional convention.

[2] He was an unsuccessful candidate to represent Orleans County in the Vermont Senate on several occasions, including 1863, 1878, 1882, and 1884.

[2][12] In 1874, he was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for Vermont's 3rd district seat in the United States House of Representatives, and lost to incumbent George W.

[13] In addition to his collector's post, Edwards was a member of the board of directors of the Newport National Bank.

[14] In 1878, Edwards was a founder of the Vermont Bar Association and he served as one the organization's vice presidents.