Mr Edmund Birch was born in 1831 in England, United Kingdom. His family migrated to Perth, Western Australia, in 1841. In 1856, he married Anne Hymus in Perth, and together they have eight children.
Mr Birch is a pharmacist by profession and a prosperous city merchant. He is well-known for his contributions and involvement with the Perth District Board of Education, the Legislative Council, and as a trustee of the Perth Working Men's Benefit Society.
He served as a member of the Perth Road Board from 1871 to 1874, and was the chairman of the board from 1872 to 1874. In 1873, he was elected a Member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia. Mr Birch is a highly esteemed citizen.