(George), fellow of the royal and antiquarian societies, was born at Stratford, a hamlet belonging to Westham in Essex, on the 3rd of April 1694. After having spent some time at school, he was put apprentice to a tradesman in Fenchurch-street. His master, who was eminent both for his piety and skill in the languages, treated him with great kindness; but about the middle of his apprenticeship, an accident happened which totally put a stop to the hopes of young Edwards's advancing himself in the way of trade. Dr Nicolas, a person of eminence in the physical world, and a relation of his master's, happened to die. The Doctor's books were removed to an apartment occupied by Edwards, who eagerly employed all his leisure-hours, both in the day and great part of the night, in perusing those which treated of natural history, sculpture, painting, astronomy, and antiquities. The reading of these books entirely deprived him of any inclination for mercantile business he might have formerly had, and he resolved to travel into foreign countries. In 1716, he visited most of the principal towns in Holland, and in about a month returned to England. Two years after, he took a voyage to Norway, at the invitation of a gentleman who was disposed to be his friend, and who was nephew to the master of the ship in which he embarked. At this time Charles XII. was besieging Fredericshall; by which means our young naturalist was hindered from making such excursions into the country as otherwise he would have done, for the Swedes were very careful to confine such strangers as could not give a good account of themselves. But notwithstanding all his precaution, he was confined by the Danish guard, who supposed him to be a spy employed by the enemy to get intelligence of their designs. However, by obtaining testimonials of his innocence, a release was granted. In 1718 he returned to England, and next year visited Paris by the way of Dieppe. During his stay in this country he made two journeys of 100 miles each; the first to Chalons in Champagne, in May 1720; the second on foot, to Orleans and Blois; but an edict happening at that time to be issued for securing vast grants, in order to transport themselves to America, as the banks of the Mississippi wanted population; our author narrowly escaped a western voyage. On his arrival in England, Mr Edwards closely pursued his favourite study of natural history, applying himself to drawing and colouring such animals as fell under his notice. A strict attention to natural, more than picturesque beauty, claimed his earliest care: birds first engaged his particular attention; and having purchased some of the best pictures of these subjects, he was induced to make a few drawings of his own; which were admired by the curious, who encouraged our young naturalist to proceed, by paying a good price for his early labours. Among his first patrons and benefactors may be mentioned James Theobalds, Esq.; of Lambeth; a gentleman zealous for the promotion of science. Our artist, thus unexpectedly encouraged, increased in skill and affluency; and procured, by his application to his favourite pursuit, a decent subsistence and a large acquaintance. However, he remitted his industry in 1731; when, in company with two of his relations, he made an excursion to Holland and Brabant, where he collected several scarce books and prints, and had an opportunity of examining the original pictures of several great masters at Antwerp, Brussel, Utrecht, and other cities. In December 1733, by the recommendation of the great Sir Hans Sloane, Bart. president of the college of physicians, he was chosen librarian, and had apartments in the college. This office was peculiarly agreeable to his taste and inclination, as he had the opportunity of a constant recourse to a valuable library, filled with scarce and curious books on the subjects of natural history, which he so assiduously studied. By degrees he became one of the most eminent ornithologists in this or any other country. His merit is so well known in this respect, as to render any eulogium on his performances unnecessary; but it may be observed, that he never trusted to others what he could perform himself; and often found it so difficult to give satisfaction to his own mind, that he frequently made three or four drawings to delineate the object in its most lively character, attitude, and representation. In 1743, the first volume of the History of Birds was published in quarto. His subscribers exceeding even his most sanguine expectations, a second volume appeared in 1747. The third volume was published in 1750. In 1751, the fourth volume came from the press. This volume being the last he intended to publish at that time, he seems to have considered it as the most perfect of his productions in natural history; and therefore devoutly offered it up to the great God of nature, in humble gratitude for all the good things he had received from him in this world. Our author, in 1758, continued his labours under a new title, viz. Gleanings of Natural History. A second volume of the Gleanings was published in 1760. The third part, which made the seventh and last volume of his works, appeared in 1764. Thus our author, after a long series of years, the most studious application, and the most extensive correspondence to every quarter of the world, concluded a work which contains engravings and descriptions of more than 600 subjects in natural history, not before described or delineated. He likewise added a general index in French and English; which was afterwards perfected, with the Linnaean names, by that great naturalist Linnaeus himself, who frequently honoured him with his friendship and correspondence.

Some time after Mr Edwards had been appointed library-keeper to the royal college of physicians, he was, on St Andrew's day, in the year 1750, presented with an honorary compliment by the president and council of the royal society, with the gold medal, the donation of Sir Godfrey Copley, Bart. annually given on that day to the author of any new discovery in art or nature, in consideration of his natural history just then completed. A copy of this medal he had afterwards engraved, and placed under the title in the first volume of his history. He was a few years afterwards elected fellow of the royal society, and of the society of antiquaries, London; and also a member of many of the academies of sciences and learning in different parts of Europe. In compliment to these honorary distinctions from such learned bodies, he presented elegant coloured copies of all his works, to the royal college of physicians, the royal society, the society of antiquarians, and to the British museum; also to the royal academy of sciences at Paris, from whom he received the most polite and obliging letter of thanks by their then secretary Monsieur Defouchy. His collection of drawings, which amounted to upwards of 900, were purchased by the earl of Bute. They contain a great number of British as well as foreign birds, and other animals hitherto not accurately delineated or described. After the publication of the last work, being arrived at his 70th year, he found his sight begin to fail, and his hand lost its wonted readiness. He retired from public employment to a little house which he purchased at Plaistow; previous to which, he disposed of all the copies, as well as plates, of his works. The conversation of a few select friends, and the perusal of a few select books, were the amusement of the evening of his life; and now and then he made an excursion to some of the principal cities in England, particularly to Bristol, Bath, Exeter, and Norwich. Some years before his death, the alarming depredations of a cancer, which baffled all the efforts of physical skill, deprived him of the sight of one of his eyes; he also suffered much from the stone, a complaint to which at different periods of his life he had been subject. Yet it has been remarked, that, in the fervent paroxysms of misery, he was scarcely known to utter a single complaint. Having completed his 80th year, emaciated with age and sickness, he died on the 23rd of July 1773, deservedly lamented by a numerous acquaintance.