Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Enfield, Edward

1153589Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 17 — Enfield, Edward1889Alexander Gordon

ENFIELD, EDWARD (1811–1880), philanthropist, third son of Henry Enfield, town clerk of Nottingham, and grandson of William Enfield, LL.D. [q. v.], was born at Nottingham on 15 May 1811. His eldest brother, William, was a leader in all philanthropic efforts at Nottingham. Edward entered Manchester College, York, as a literary student in 1826; he was contemporary with Samuel Bache [q. v.] and Sir Thomas Baker of Manchester. Through the influence of Lord Holland he was appointed one of the moneyers of the mint, and one of the most active members of this corporation, till, on the reorganisation of the mint in 1851, he retired with a pension. Henceforth he gave his time and energy to works of education and philanthropy. He was a member of the council and committee of management of University College, London (president of the senate from 1878), and of the council of University Hall, Gordon Square. From 1867 he acted as treasurer, and was the guiding spirit, of the University College Hospital; most of the sanitary and structural improvements in the hospital were due to his admirable supervision. As a unitarian dissenter he took a large share in the conduct of the unsectarian efforts for the elevation of the poor in East London, carried on by the domestic mission society of that body. In 1857 he was elected a trustee of the nonconformist endowments embraced in Dr. Williams's trust, and became a valuable member of the estates and audit committees. At the time of his death he was president of Manchester New College, London.

He died at his residence, 19 Chester Terrace, Regent's Park, on 21 April 1880, and was buried at Woking cemetery on 26 April. He was twice married: first, to a daughter of John Taylor, F.R.S., by whom he had one son; and secondly, to a daughter of Henry Roscoe of Liverpool, who survived him.

[Daily News, 23 April 1880; Inquirer, 24 April 1880; Times, 27 April 1880; these notices are reprinted in ‘In Memoriam, Edward Enfield,’ 1880; Roll of Students, Manchester New College, 1868; Jeremy's Presb. Fund, 1885, p. 217.]

A. G.