Lord Longford
1902 - 1961
Edward Arthur Henry Pakenham was born on 29th December 1902 in London. He was the first son and heir of Thomas Packenham, the fifth Earl of Longford. Edward became the sixth Earl of Longford aged 14, upon his father's death. The Longfords alternated between summers in Packenham Hall, Westmeath and country houses in England. Edward studied classics at Eton, though at the same time developed an interest in Irish nationalism and culture. He took to learning Irish and signing his name Eamon de Longphort. He married Oxford scholar Christine Longford in 1925. The Longfords worked with Edwards-Mac Liammoir at The Gate Theatre from 1931-1936, then following a disagreement founded Longford Productions which produced 151 plays at The Gate Theatre, during their 24 years of existence.