Background
Edwards was born in Merthyr Tydfil, the son of a stonemason, and went to school in Merthyr.
Edwards was born in Merthyr Tydfil, the son of a stonemason, and went to school in Merthyr.
Apprenticed to a memorial mason in Swansea, he was quickly promoted, and in 1835 he went to London to work for William Behnes.
At the age of seventeen, he saw the collection of Celtic stone crosses at Margam Abbey and decided to become a sculptor. His early works include a memorial to Sir John Bernard Bosanquet. Another memorial monument, entitled "Religion", was shown at an international exhibition in 1862.
His work can be seen in churches throughout England and Wales.
He made busts of many contemporary figures. In 1881, sponsored by George Frederic Watts, he was awarded a pension under the Turner bequest, but he died shortly after receiving lieutenant
He was buried in Highgate Cemetery.