Edward Backhouse

Edward Backhouse (1808–1879) was a Quaker philanthropist and writer on church history. He was also one of the founding fathers of the Sunderland Echo newspaper. He was recognised as having the gift of vocal ministry in 1854. Early life Edward Backhouse was born in Darlington on 8 May 1808, the son of Mary and Edward Backhouse of Darlington. When Edward senior moved to Sunderland in 1816, his family traveled with him. Edward junior remained in Sunderland until just before his death. Working life Backhouse became a partner in the family banking firm of Backhouse & Co, but did not take an active part in the business. Instead, he engaged in many philanthropic activities and the concerns of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) from 1854. He travelled in the ministry to France and Norway. In 1862 and 1863, he served as Clerk to the annual national gathering of Quakers known as London Yearly Meeting.