Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Molyneux, Edmund (fl.1587)
MOLYNEUX, EDMUND (fl. 1587), biographer, was third son of Sir Edmund Molyneux [q. v.] by Jane, daughter of John Cheney of Chesham Bois, Buckinghamshire (Gisbourne Molineux, Memoir of the Moltneux Family, p. 30). Tanner, citing 'Cabala,' ed. 1663, p. 140, identifies him with 'one Moleneux,' who, after being in the employ of Sir William Cecil and misusing' him, sought in August 1567 the post of secretary to Sir Henry Norris, the French ambassador. An Edmund Molyneux was admitted of Gray's Inn in 1574 (Harl. MS. 1912, f. 53). Edmund Molyneux became secretary to Sir Henry Sidney, and accompanied him to Ireland, where he acted as clerk of the council (Cal. State Papers, Irish Ser. 1509-73, pp. 422, 443). Sidney did his best to advance his interests at court. On 20 Sept. 1576 he wrote a long letter in his favour to Burghley (ib. 1574-85, p. 99), and in November 1576 vainly asked the privy council to appoint Molyneux, along with another, supervisor of the attorneys, who had 'grown very crafty and corrupt' (Collins, Sidney Letters and Memorials, i. 145, 187-8, 194). In September 1578 he was sent by Sidney to London to report upon the state of Ireland. On 31 Dec. 1579 he petitioned the privy council for his ' despatch and payment after long suit' (Cal. State Papers, Irish Ser. 1574-85, pp. 142, 203).
Molyneux furnished an account of Sir Henry, Sir Philip, Sir Robert, and Thomas Sidney to Holinshed's 'Chronicles' (ed. 1587, iii. 1548-56), in which he complained that Sir Henry Sidney, however he might strive, never succeeded in obtaining for him a comfortable office or reward of any kind. The enmity of Burghley probably retarded his advancement.
[Cal. State Papers, Carew MSS. 1515-74, pp. 401, 402; Tanner's Bibl. Brit. p. 530; Holinshed's Chronicle, ed. 1587, iii. 1590 ; Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1547-80, p. 195; Collins's Sidney Letters and Memorials, i. 66, 210, 227, 239, 240, 296.]