[taken from Chapter 3 Manx Worthies, A.W.Moore, 1901]

EDWARD MOORE GAWNE, of Kentraugh (b. 1802, d. 1871),

son of Edward Gawne, of Mount Gawne, and Catherine Moore, of Pulrose, was born at Mount Gawne in the parish of Rushen. In 1829, he was selected as a member of the House of Keys, and in 1854, he became speaker of that body, having previously acted as deputy-speaker.* He retained this office till the dissolution of the non-elected House in 1867, when, in consideration of his distinguished services, he was offered knighthood, but declined that honour. He also declined to seek election in the new House of Keys, because he objected to the popular method of election, considering the old system had worked well. In polities, he was a strong Conservative, or, perhaps, a Tory of the old school is better description. On his retirement from the Keys, he was presented with the antique speaker's chair belonging to the House.

He was an excellent landlord, being, indeed, an enthusiastic agriculturist, having done much to improve the breed of stock by the importation of pedigree sires. In 1841, he was elected first President of the Isle of Man Agricultural which was re-constituted in that year. He had all the tastes of a country gentleman, keeping his yacht and his kennels of beagles and greyhounds. He was remarkable, not only for the extreme kindliness of his nature, for his unassuming manners, his geniality his unbounded hospitality and charity, but for his unaffected piety and intense love of his native island. No wonder, then, that such a character was beloved and respected both by his fellow members in the House and by all who knew him. The Manx Sun newspaper, in its obituary notice of him, remarks that " there are not, we are sure, any living Manxmen who will not gratefully acknowledge that they were proud of Mr. Gawne and that they will ever affectionately cherish his memory."

+ His uncle, John Moore, of " The Hills," was then speaker.

[See also Emily Maria Gawne] - [see also To E.M.Gawne by William Kennish]

See Will (1872)