Edward Richards-Orpen
{{Short description|Irish politician, agriculturalist and conservationist (1884–1967)}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image =
| office = Senator
| term_start = 21 April 1948
| term_end = 14 August 1951
| constituency = Nominated by the Taoiseach
| birth_name = Edward Richards Orpen
| birth_date = {{birth date|1884|10|20|df=y}}
| birth_place = London, England
| death_date = {{death date and age|1967|11|14|1884|10|20|df=y}}
| death_place = County Wexford, Ireland
| party = {{ubl|Independent|National Centre Party}}
| father = Goddard Henry Orpen
| mother = Adela Richards
| spouse = {{marriage|Margaret Tomalin|1914}}
| children = 2
| alma_mater = Trinity College, Cambridge
| education = St Paul's School, London
| module = {{Infobox military person
| embed = yes
| branch = British Army
| serviceyears = 1916–1919
| rank = Captain
| servicenumber =
| unit = Royal Army Service Corps
| battles = World War I
| awards =
}}
|}}
Edward Richards Richards-Orpen (20 October 1884 – 14 November 1967) was an Irish independent politician, agriculturalist and conservationist.{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Edward-R-Richard-Richards-Orpen.S.1950-06-16/|title=Edward Richards-Orpen|work=Oireachtas Members Database|access-date=5 August 2013}} He was a member of Seanad Éireann from 1948 to 1951.
Early life and background
He was born Edward Richards Orpen on 20 October 1884 in London, to the family of Adela Orpen (née Richards) and Goddard Henry Orpen of Monksgrange,{{cite web|url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/orpen-edward-richards-richards-a9979|title=Orpen, Edward Richards Richards-|work=Dictionary of Irish Biography|last=Bull|first=Philip|access-date=29 March 2024}} a historian of the Anglo-Norman period of Irish history. He was also related to Irish portrait painter, William Orpen. He attended St Paul's School, London, and went to Trinity College, Cambridge in 1903.
In April 1914 he married Margaret Tomalin, daughter of Lewis Tomalin, founder of the Jaeger clothing company. Before his marriage he changed his surname to Richards-Orpen to satisfy his mother's wish for her family's name to be preserved once he inherited the family estate. In December 1916 during World War I, he joined Royal Army Service Corps (RASC), which undertook the work of food and weapons supply to the soldiers at the front. Because of his dedicated work and leadership qualities, he was quickly promoted. After few months of joining, he was promoted to second lieutenant, followed by the post of captain.
Post-war activities
On inheriting the family estate on his mother's death in 1927, he established Grange Furniture Industry. In 1928, he became secretary of the Arts and Crafts Society of Ireland.
Politics
In 1932, he was involved in the establishment of a new farmers' organisation, the National Farmers' and Ratepayers' League. Later known as the National Centre Party, after the 1933 general election, it merged to form Fine Gael.
He was nominated by the Taoiseach to the 6th Seanad in 1948.{{cite web|url=http://www.electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?ID=9176|title=Edward Richards-Orpen|work=ElectionsIreland.org|access-date=5 August 2013}} He did not contest the 1951 Seanad election.
Honors
The Edward Richards-Orpen Memorial Trust was established in his honor. The trust owns and operates the Monksgrange Archives.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Members of the 6th Seanad}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Richards-Orpen, Edward}}
Category:Independent members of Seanad Éireann
Category:Members of the 6th Seanad
Category:Nominated members of Seanad Éireann
Category:Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge
Category:People educated at St Paul's School, London