Edward Wakefield (New Zealand politician)

For other politicians of this name, see Edward Wakefield (disambiguation).

Wakefield, c. 1885
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1875–1879 6th Geraldine Independent
1879–1881 7th Geraldine Independent
1884 8th Selwyn Independent
1884–1887 9th Selwyn Independent

Felix Edward Wakefield[1] (22 May 1845 – 10 August 1924) was the son of Felix Wakefield, one of Edward Gibbon Wakefield’s younger brothers. Edward was born in Launceston, Tasmania, brought up in New Zealand, and educated in France and at King's College London.

He married Agnes Mildred Hall on 15 July 1874 at Christchurch. She was the daughter of George Williamson Hall, and John Hall was thus her uncle.[2] Edward and Agnes had four children: Edward Howard St George Wakefield (1875); Gerald Seymour Wakefield (1877); Grace Josephine Wakefield (1879); and Mildred Wakefield (1881).

Wakefield was a journalist and then a colourful, volatile and ambitious politician in New Zealand, who showed considerable promise, though this was not quite fulfilled; "He was among the best parliamentary debaters of the time; admired for his wit and power of argument."[2] Prior to entering politics he was a public servant and served as the second Cabinet Secretary for the Fox Ministry in 1869.[3]

He was the Member of Parliament for Geraldine 1875–1881, then for Selwyn 1884–1887, when he resigned.[4] He won an 1884 by-election against John McLachlan,[5] and was then elected unopposed in 1884 general election some five months later.[6] He served as Colonial Secretary in the short 1884 ministry of Harry Atkinson; from 28 August to 3 September 1884.

Wakefield subsequently concentrated on writing, producing New Zealand after Fifty Years (1889). Later he moved to America, then London. Having become blind in old age, he was made a brother of the Charterhouse in recognition of his service, and resided there at the almshouse; he died there in 1924.[2]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Edward Wakefield.
  1. ^ "Tasmanian Government Archives". 1845. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2018. Alt URL
  2. ^ a b c Bohan, Edmund. "Wakefield, Edward". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  3. ^ "Sir Edward William Stafford G.C.M.G. A Memoir". National Library of New Zealand. New Zealand Government. 1923. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  4. ^ Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. p. 242. OCLC 154283103.
  5. ^ "Selwyn Election". The Press. Vol. XL, no. 5755. 28 February 1884. p. 3. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  6. ^ "The General Election, 1884". National Library. 1884. p. 2. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
New Zealand Parliament
New constituency Member of Parliament for Geraldine
1875–1881 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Selwyn
1884–1887 		Succeeded by