Edward Wakefield (New Zealand politician)

Edward Wakefield (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 Hall on 15 July 1874 at Christchurch. She was the daughter of George Williamson Hall, and John Hall was thus her uncle.

He was a journalist and then politician in New Zealand, who showed considerable promise, though this was not fulfilled.

He was the Member of Parliament for Geraldine 1875–1881, then for Selwyn 1884–1887, when he resigned. He won an 1884 by-election against John McLachlan, and was then elected unopposed in 1884 general election some five months later.

He was a colourful, volatile and ambitious politician. He was Colonial Secretary in the short 1884 ministry of Harry Atkinson; from 28 August to 3 September 1884.

He then concentrated on writing, producing New Zealand after Fifty Years (1889).

Later he moved to America, then London. He died in London, blind, in a Carthusian Charterhouse in 1924.

...
Wikipedia