Richard Lovell Edgeworth (1744-1817) was an Irish educationalist, engineer and inventor, who was connected with many leading scientists, technologists and industrialists of his day. This two-volume autobiography, first published in 1820, was completed after his death by his novelist daughter Maria, who also co-authored his Practical Education.

Published in 1820, this memoir of an influential educationalist and inventor sheds light on eighteenth-century social and intellectual history.