Edward John Hemming, (30 August 1823 – 17 September 1905), was a lawyer, politician and author. Born in London, Hemming was the seventh and youngest child of Henry Keene Hemming (1793–1847) and Sophia Wirgman (1785–1870), and a brother of George Wirgman Hemming. After finishing his studies at Clapham Grammar School in south-western London, he was commissioned as a midshipman in the East India Company Merchant Navy, serving from 1836 to 1845. After this period at sea, he entered into business with his father who ran his own farm and was land agent to William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire for the Lismore Castle estate in Ireland.