Edward Elhanan Berry
Edward Elhanan Berry | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1861-05-10 Kingston, Canada |
| Died | 1931 |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, diplomat |
| Years active | 1891–1931 |
| Known for | Vice-British Consul in Bordighera, agent of Thomas Cook's travel agency, contributor to Bicknell Museum projects |
Edward Elhanan Berry (1861–1931) was the offspring of Edward Berry (1817–1875), a legal professional and proprietor, and Ada Bicknell (1831–1911), who was the sister of Clarence Bicknell.
Biography
Edward was born on May 10, 1861, in Kingston, Canada, and spent his early years before relocating to London. Around 1880, he completed his education, presumably in a scientific discipline, and subsequently became a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
At the age of 30 in 1891, Edward settled in Bordighera, where his uncle Clarence Bicknell resided. There, he established "Bank Berry" at the intersection of Corso Italia and via Vittorio Emanuele. Although the bank thrived, Berry soon took on the role of agent for Thomas Cook’s travel agency. In 1892, he initiated a service agency aimed at serving British expatriates by managing property sales, rental agreements, freight forwarding, and luggage handling.
By 1897, Edward was designated as vice-British Consul in Bordighera. The next year, he married Margaret Serocold (1867–1957), who had first come to Bordighera in 1886. The couple did not have children but maintained a strong bond with Clarence Bicknell.
Edward actively contributed to Bicknell’s projects such as establishing the Bicknell Museum, conducting botanical and archaeological studies on Mount Bego, and overseeing the construction of the Fontanalba house. Following Bicknell’s passing in 1918, the Berry family took responsibility for maintaining the museum. Their residence, Villa Monte Verde—constructed in 1904—emerged as Bordighera’s cultural hub, much like Villa Rosa had been during Bicknell’s lifetime. Today, the villa still stands on Via Mostaccini but has been converted into residential apartments.
Alongside his wife and uncle, Edward shared passions for history, art, and architecture. Together they prepared the manuscript for At the Western Gate of Italy, which Margaret published posthumously in 1931 after Edward’s unexpected death in Rome. He was interred at Rome’s Protestant Cemetery. Margaret remained in Bordighera until 1935 when she sold Villa Monte Verde due to her advancing years and the rise of fascism; she then moved to Taplow in Buckinghamshire where she passed away in 1957 at age 90.