Edward Pakenham, 2nd Baron Longford


Edward Michael Pakenham, 2nd Baron Longford was an Irish sailor and landowner.

Early life

Pakenham was the son of Thomas Pakenham, 1st Baron Longford and Elizabeth Cuffe, 1st Countess of Longford. His parents had seven children, including Sir Thomas Pakenham, a Royal Navy officer.
His father was the eldest son and heir of Edward Pakenham MP of Pakenham Hall and Margaret Bradestan. His mother was the daughter and sole heiress of Michael Cuffe MP, and Frances Cuffe.
Longford was educated at Kilkenny College and joined the Royal Navy at the age of sixteen.

Career

He served during the Seven Years' War taking part in naval engagements off the coasts of West Africa and North America. He was captured by the Spanish near the end of the war and held for over a year. After he returned home following the Treaty of Paris he briefly represented County Longford in the Irish House of Commons between 1765 and 1766.
In 1776, he inherited his father's title and seat in the Irish House of Lords. In January 1778 he returned to active service during the American War of Independence, serving in the English Channel and Mediterranean Sea. He returned home in 1782 having earned around £5,000 in prize money.

Personal life

In 1768, Lord Langford married Hon. Catherine Rowley, daughter of Elizabeth Rowley, 1st Viscountess Langford and Hercules Langford Rowley MP. He was the owner of Pakenham Hall Castle in County Westmeath, which he systematically improved during his lifetime. Catherine and Edward had a number of children including:
Langford died in June 1792, aged 49, and was succeeded in the barony by his eldest son Thomas, who in 1794 also succeeded his grandmother in the earldom of Longford.