Edmund Rice : Short Biography

Edmund Ignatius RIce 1762

Callan (Kilkenny) County Waterford IrelandXO

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Edmund Ignatius Rice (1762 – 1844) was best known as the founder of the Presentation Brothers and the Congregation of Christian Brothers in Ireland.

Born at a time in Ireland when Catholics faced oppression under Penal Laws, Rice saw reforms begin when he was a teenager. Through inheritance from his uncle, he forged a successful merchants' career in Waterford city. When his young wife died in an accident (which left his daughter disabled and with learning difficulties) Edmund devoted the rest of his life to the education of the poor.

The traditions established by Edmund Rice are still followed by Christian Brothers and Presentation Brothers schools around the world to this day.

READ MORE: Ennistymon CBS est. 1824

Additional Information
Date of Birth	1st Jun 1762
Date of Death	29th Aug 1844
Associated Building (s)	The Monastery ENNISTYMON
Mother (First Name/s and Maiden)	Margaret Tierney aka Margaret Murphy (first marriage) aka Margaret Rice (second marriage)
Father (First Name/s and Surname)	Robert Rice
Townland born	"Westcourt" Callan, Co. Kilkenny.
Number of Siblings	6 brothers and 2 half-sisters
Names of Siblings	Half-sisters: Joan and Jane Murphy, the offspring of his mother's first marriage.
Names of Siblings	Edmund Rice was the fourth of seven sons
Spouse (First Name/s and Maiden/Surname)	Married circa 1785; possibly Mary Elliott (d.1789) the daughter of a Waterford tanner.
Names of Children	Mary (mother died in childbirth)
Occupation
Place of Death
New Type	Nephew of Michael Rice (d.1785) of Ballybricken, Waterford (from whom he inherited the business).