Other Gifts

Edwards said that he tried to do “the best for the most” and the receptors of his benevolence are diverse. One bequest, the Chalfont Centre”, could be included in almost all of the criteria listed above, in that it aimed to provide for the health, education, development and security of a particular section of the community, those with epilepsy.

Formed as the National Society for the Employment of Epileptics, in 1892, the Society sought to provide employment for those that were capable of work but were unable to find employment due to their medical condition.

Passmore Edwards offered to purchase a farm of about 100 acres for the Society on which to establish what was them termed a colony, where those with Epilepsy could both live and work.

Over the next few years Edwards funded the construction of five communal dwellings, Homes, for men, women Boys and Girls together with an administrative building and other Homes were provided by other benefactors.

Now known as the National Society for Epilepsy, the Society can still be found at Chalfont St Peter in Buckinghamshire

Working with what is today known as the Drinking Fountain Association and with the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, Edwards provided places of refuge and refreshment for the working classes in London.

The MPGA worked to restore abandoned graveyards and other scraps of unoccupied land, to bring some open green space to the working class areas.

The provision of clean drinking water was seen as a contribution towards Temperance as the only alternative source of refreshment was often the beer house.

LIST OF OTHER GIFTS