Despite first being created in the 18th century, Guinness has stood the test of time. Not only is it Britain's most popular draught beer – one in nine pints is the Irish stout – but it has become a cultural status symbol giving Guinness drinkers a quiet superiority complex.
Hidden amongst the barrels of the delicious, dark drink is a family history just as rich. Which is exactly why Netflix decided now is the perfect time to tell the Guinness dynasty's story in House of Guinness, which is available to stream in full.
If you plan to spend your weekend binging on all eight episodes (with a well-poured Guinness in hand) and want to know more about Edward Guinness then you've come to the right place.
Who is Edward Guinness?
Edward Guinness was an Anglo-Irish businessman and philanthropist. As a member of the prominent Guinness family, he became head of their eponymous brewing business, making him the richest man in Ireland.
He was the third son of Sir Benjamin Guinness who turned the beer into a global brand and the younger brother of Arthur Guinness. Edward was educated by private tutor before studying at Trinity College Dublin where he graduated with BA in 1870 and MA in 1872. He then became High Sheriff of Dublin City in 1876 and of the county in 1885.
In 1891, Edward was created Baron Iveagh in County Down and was later appointed a Knight of St Patrick. In 1906, he was elected to the Royal Society and two years later he became the nineteenth Chancellor of the University of Dublin.
Edward was married to Adelaide Guinness from 1873 until her death in 1916 and they had three children together, Rupert, Ernest and Walter. Edward died in London in 1927 at the age of 79.
What was Edward Guinness' job?
Edward was managing director of the Guinness partnership and company from his father's death in 1868 until 1889. He later became chairman of the board for life. By the age of 29, he had taken over sole ownership of the brewery after buying out the half-share of his older brother Arthur for £600,000 in 1876.
Over the next 10 years, Guinness became enormously successful and its value multiplied. Edward became the richest man in Ireland after floating two-thirds of the company on the London Stock Exchange in 1886 for £6 million before retiring as a multi-millionaire at the age of 40. He remained chairman and kept a 35% share of the stock. In 1902, Edward commissioned the Guinness Storehouse, which remains one of Ireland's top tourist attractions.
Edward is also remembered for providing affordable housing in London and Dublin through charitable trusts. He founded the Guinness Trust in 1890. Throughout his career he contributed almost £1 million to slum clearance and housing projects in Ireland.
The businessman also donated £250,000 to the Lister Institute in 1898, the first medical research charity in the uK. He sponsored new physics and botany buildings in Trinity College Dublin in 1903 and helped finance the British Antarctic Expedition in 1907. Mount Iveagh in Antarctica is named after him.
Who plays Edward Guinness in House of Guinness?
Edward is played by Louis Partridge in House of Guinness. As well as his roles in Enola Holmes and Paddington 2, Partridge is currently dating global pop star Olivia Rodrigo. The pair have been dating since October 2023 and are often spotted around London.
As well as House of Guinness, Partridge is set to star in the upcoming comedy Jay Kelly opposite George Clooney, Adam Sandler and Laura Dern.
What is House of Guinness about?
The eight-part series by Steven Knight centres on the family behind the Guinness brewing company in 19th century Ireland and New York, and the consequences following the death of Benjamin Guinness, the man responsible for the extraordinary success of the Guinness brewery, and the fate of his four adult children, Arthur, Edward, Anne and Ben.
Where can I watch House of Guinness?
The entire series is now available to stream on Netflix. If you want to find out more about how the modern day Guinness' feel about the series, read Grazia's recent interview with Daphne Guinness, who calls the name 'a blessing and a curse'.
Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across entertainment, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things pop culture for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow with equal respect).