History: Leytonstone House was home to two generations of politicians

He worked as a conservationist. He was the third of seven sons born to Sir Edward North Buxton (1812-1858), 2nd Baronet of Bellfield and Runton, and his wife Catherine Gurney. He had five sisters.

Edward Jnr resided at the grade II listed building Leytonstone House near the Green Man Roundabout in Leytonstone.

He was a keen alpine climber and presided over a dinner at the Society for the Preservation of the Fauna of the Empire which Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the USA, attended. He was a founding member of the society now known as Fauna and Flora International.

Edward Jnr’s father served as an MP for Essex South from 1847 to 1852 and for East Norfolk from 1857 until his death in 1858. Having inherited the title of Baronet from his father, he was succeeded as 3rd Baronet by his son Thomas Fowell Buxton after his death in June 1858.

Edward Jnr held a number of titles including Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant for Essex. He was a partner in the London brewing firm of Truman, Hanbury, & Co.

Brothers Thomas and Edward played major roles in saving Epping Forest and Hainault Forest for public use. Edward was Verderer of Epping Forest and served as the first Vice Chairman and Honorary Treasurer of the London Playing Fields Foundation. He resigned in 1923 a year before his death.

Thomas Fowell Buxton

The two, assisted by the City of London Corporation, fought the cause of the commoners which led to the Epping Forest Act being passed in 1878.

He helped raise funds for the foundation’s purchase of Fairlop Oak Playing Field in Forest Road, Ilford. He oversaw the layout of the ground, with provision given to sports pitches.

After being elected, he made six contributions during his year as MP for Walthamstow.

In 1862 Edward Jnr married Emily Digby and had three children, Gerald, Anthony and Teresa.

From his deathbed in 1924, Edward bought Hartfield Forest for the National Trust, having sat on the trust’s council.

Hallingbury Place estate, which included the 403 hectares of Hartfield Forest, was sold in December 1923 to a timber merchant. Edward had tried to intervene to stop the sale so that the space could be kept for public use but he was unsuccessful and was left disappointed by the sale.

A short time later, 215 acres of the Forest including the lake was up for sale. Edward put forward and offer which was accepted and within days he had written a cheque and completed the deal. He died the following week aged 83.

After his death, Edward’s sons and others members of the family bought more land in the forest. The southern end of the forest which includes Gravelpit Coppice was added to the area. After another donor bought Elgins Coppice it brought the total area to 350 acres.

The entire area was donated to the trust with the conditions it would be open to the local hunt and Scouts and Guides of Essex.

Leytonstone House was built around 1800. Edward Jr’s father Sir Edward grew up in the mansion.

William Wilberforce

Sir Edward came from a philanthropic family of brewers. He was the son of Thomas Fowell Buxton (1786-1845) and his wife Hannah Gurney (1783–1872).

Thomas helped William Wilberforce with his fight to abolish slavery. After leading a parliamentary campaign against the trade for 20 years the Slave Trade Act was eventually passed in 1807.