Edmond Malone

Edmund Malone (1704–1774) was an Irish barrister, politician and judge. He was the second of three brothers who all rose to the top of the legal profession, as their father had before them. He was the father of the first and only Lord Sunderlin, and of Edmund Malone junior, the noted Shakespearean scholar.

He was born at Baronston (or Baronstown) House, Ballynacarrigy, County Westmeath, second son of Richard Malone and Marcella Molady, daughter of Redmond Molady of Robertstown, County Kildare, nephew and heir of Sir Patrick Molady.

Edmund entered the Middle Temple in 1722 and was called to the English bar in 1730. He practised successfully in England for a number of years, but in time encountered serious difficulties in his profession, and with a wife and growing family to support, thought it best to return home. He settled once more in his native Westmeath, at an estate called Shinglas. He was called to the Irish bar in 1740 and built up a good practice.

He entered politics, sitting in the Irish House of Commons as MP for Askeaton 1753–61 and then for Granard 1761–7. The elder Catherine, who had suffered from ill health for years, died in 1765.