Edward Palmer

Edward Palmer (c. 1555–1624) was a gentleman with antiquarian interests from Gloucestershire, England. During his life he was known for his extensive collection, notably of Roman coins: William Camden called him "a curious and diligent Antiquarie". He is perhaps best remembered for his purchase of the then-unnamed Garrett Island in the American colony of Virginia (present-day Maryland), which he designated for the establishment of what would have been the first university in the English colonies. Early years and personal life He was the eldest son of Giles Palmer, and grandson of John Palmer, born in Upper Lemington, in the parish of Todenham, Gloucester. He was a student of Magdalen College, Oxford, in about 1570, but did not graduate. He was admitted to the Middle Temple in 1575, where his contemporaries included the antiquaries Henry Ferrers and Richard Carew. Palmer married Muriel Palmer, a kinswoman, the daughter of Richard Palmer of Compton Scorpin, Ilmington, Warwickshire. They had at least three sons (including Thomas Palmer, who emigrated to colonial Virginia in 1621) and four daughters. Plan for University in the Colony of Virginia In 1622, Palmer received a patent for land from the Virginia Company of London.