Lady Edith Crawley


Character Source Material: Downton Abbey (TV Series, ITV (UK) and PBS (US))


She is the second daughter of Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham, and his wife Cora Crawley, the Countess of Grantham. She has two sisters, Lady Mary and Lady Sybil, and a brother-in-law, Tom Branson.

Lady Edith’s story arc throughout the series is one of transformation and growth. She starts out as a bitter and insecure young woman who often clashes with her elder sister Mary and feels overshadowed by her younger sister Sybil. She also suffers from several romantic disappointments, such as losing her first love Patrick Crawley in the Titanic disaster, being jilted at the altar by Sir Anthony Strallan, and having to give up her illegitimate daughter Marigold to a tenant farmer. However, she gradually develops into a more confident and independent woman who pursues her passion for journalism and becomes the owner and editor of a magazine called The Sketch.



5 Factor Personality Summary for Lady Edith Crawley

Trait Percentile Trait Disposition
Neuroticism 5.97 Low
Agreeableness 62.23 Average
Extraversion 51.95 Average
Conscientiousness 95.26 High
Openness 81.87 High
personality chart
Link to full personality profile report.



5 Factor Personality Items and Responses for Lady Edith Crawley

This section displays the detail item responses that were used to generate the above personality summary. The methodology for selecting the item responses for this fictional character involved using research from a generative artificial intelligence tool to summarize a descriptive response to a question related to each item. The research was reviewed and a judgement was made on the most appropriate response on that item. You can view an example script for collecting these responses (see: Script for Automated Five Factor Assessment)

Trait Item Item Response Item Score AI-Generated Research*
Openness Do not have a good imagination. Moderately Inaccurate 4

Lady Edith Crawley has a good imagination, and she does not limit or constrain it. She has a lot of creativity and originality in her work, and she also has a lot of curiosity and interest in the world.

Openness Am not interested in abstract ideas. Moderately Inaccurate 4

Lady Edith Crawley is very interested in abstract ideas, and she does not ignore or dismiss them. She has a lot of passion and enthusiasm for her work, and she also has a lot of openness and appreciation for the world. She is not narrow or rigid, but rather broad and flexible. She likes to learn and explore new and different ideas and perspectives, and she likes to challenge and expand her own views and beliefs. She is not a closed or dogmatic woman, but rather an open and curious person.

Openness Have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. Very Inaccurate 5

Lady Edith Crawley does not have difficulty understanding abstract ideas, but rather she has a good grasp of them. She has a lot of intelligence and knowledge in her field, and she also has a lot of insight and wisdom in life. She is not simple or shallow, but rather complex and deep. She can comprehend and analyze complex and abstract concepts and issues, and she can apply and synthesize them in practical and meaningful ways. She is not a concrete or literal woman, but rather an abstract and metaphorical person.

Openness Have a vivid imagination. Moderately Accurate 4

Lady Edith Crawley is not explicitly depicted as having a particularly vivid imagination compared to some other characters. Her personality is characterized by a sense of practicality and responsibility, especially in contrast to her more impulsive and adventurous younger sister, Lady Sybil, and her ambitious elder sister, Lady Mary.

Lady Edith is shown to be intelligent, resourceful, and determined, with a strong desire for personal fulfillment and independence. She pursues her interests in writing and journalism, and her character undergoes significant development throughout the series.

While Lady Edith may not be portrayed as having an overly vivid imagination in the same way as some other characters, her arc does involve moments of self-reflection, introspection, and the pursuit of her passions. Her creative endeavors, such as her writing and her work at a newspaper, do suggest a certain level of imagination and ingenuity.

Neuroticism Seldom feel blue. Neither Inaccurate nor Accurate 3

Lady Edith Crawley does feel blue sometimes, and she does not pretend or deny it. She has experienced a lot of loss and grief in her life, and she has mourned and grieved for them. She is not happy or cheerful all the time, but rather realistic and authentic. She can acknowledge and express her sadness, and she can seek and accept help. She is not a depressed or hopeless woman, but rather a human and hopeful person.

Neuroticism Am relaxed most of the time. Very Accurate 1

Lady Edith Crawley is relaxed most of the time, and she does not stress or worry too much. She has a lot of responsibilities and pressures in her life, but she also has a lot of support and resources. She is not anxious or nervous, but rather calm and confident. She can handle and manage her challenges and opportunities, and she can enjoy and appreciate her achievements and happiness. She is not a tense or restless woman, but rather a relaxed and peaceful person.

Neuroticism Get upset easily. Moderately Inaccurate 2

Lady Edith Crawley does not get upset easily, but rather she gets upset reasonably. She has been hurt and betrayed by many people in her life, and she has reacted with anger and sadness. She is not insensitive or indifferent, but rather sensitive and caring. She does not tolerate injustice or cruelty, and she does not hide her feelings or opinions. She is not a pushover or a doormat, but rather a fighter and a survivor. She is not an easily upset woman, but rather a rightfully upset person.

Neuroticism Have frequent mood swings. Very Inaccurate 1

Lady Edith Crawley does not have frequent mood swings, but rather she has normal and understandable emotions. She has felt a lot of joy and sorrow in her life, and she has expressed them appropriately and honestly. She is not unstable or irrational, but rather stable and rational. She can control and regulate her emotions, and she can cope and adapt to different situations. She is not a moody or unpredictable woman, but rather a balanced and consistent person.

Conscientiousness Make a mess of things. Moderately Inaccurate 4

In the earlier seasons, Lady Edith is often depicted as the middle sister overshadowed by her elder sister Mary and her younger sister Sybil. Her actions and decisions are not always well received, and she occasionally finds herself in difficult situations. There are instances where her actions lead to consequences or create conflicts with other characters.

However, as the series unfolds, Lady Edith's character evolves significantly. She becomes more independent, confident, and assertive. She takes on new responsibilities, becomes involved in journalism, and strives to find her own path in life beyond societal expectations.

While Lady Edith faces challenges and occasionally makes mistakes, her character development allows her to grow and overcome these obstacles. She becomes a more resilient and self-assured individual.

Conscientiousness Often forget to put things back in their proper place. Very Inaccurate 5

Lady Edith Crawley is very organized and tidy, and she does not forget or misplace things. She has a lot of things to keep track of, both at home and at work, and she arranges them neatly and logically. She is not messy or chaotic, but rather orderly and systematic. She follows a routine and a schedule, and she does not waste time or space. She is a careful and meticulous woman, and a neat and tidy person.

Conscientiousness Like order. Very Accurate 5

Lady Edith Crawley likes order and structure, and she does not like disorder and confusion. She prefers to have a clear and consistent plan and goal, and she does not like to have surprises or changes. She values stability and security, and she does not like to have risks or uncertainties. She follows the rules and the traditions, and she does not like to have conflicts or controversies. She is a rational and realistic woman, and a calm and composed person.

Conscientiousness Get chores done right away. Very Accurate 5

Lady Edith Crawley is very responsible and diligent, and she does not procrastinate or neglect her duties. She has a lot of chores and tasks to do, both at home and at work, and she manages them efficiently and effectively. She is not lazy or careless, but rather hardworking and conscientious. She takes pride in her work and her achievements, and she does not compromise on quality or integrity. She is a capable and competent woman, and a respected and admired leader.

Agreeableness Am not interested in other people's problems. Moderately Inaccurate 4

Lady Edith Crawley is very interested in other people’s problems, and she is willing and able to help them. She has faced many problems herself, and she knows how hard and painful they can be. She is not cold or uncaring, but rather warm and supportive. She offers her advice, assistance, and resources to those who need them, and she does not expect anything in return. She is a loyal and reliable friend, and a kind and generous benefactor.

Agreeableness Am not really interested in others. Moderately Inaccurate 4

Lady Edith Crawley is very interested in others, and she is curious and open-minded about the world. She likes to learn new things and meet new people, and she is respectful and appreciative of different cultures and perspectives. She is also involved and engaged in various social causes and movements, such as women’s rights, journalism, education, and charity. She is not selfish or indifferent, but rather generous and caring. She wants to make a positive difference in the world.

Agreeableness Feel others' emotions. Moderately Accurate 4

Yes, I think she does. Lady Edith Crawley is a very sensitive and emotional person, and she can relate to the joys and sorrows of others. She has experienced a lot of happiness and sadness in her own life, and she can understand how others feel. She can also express her emotions openly and honestly, and she can comfort and console others when they are in distress. She has a strong bond and a deep connection with the people in her life.

Agreeableness Sympathize with others' feelings. Very Accurate 5

Yes, I think she does. Lady Edith Crawley may have been bitter and resentful in the past, but she has also shown a lot of compassion and empathy for others. She has helped and supported many people, such as her sister Sybil, her cousin Rose, her friend Mrs. Drewe, her employee Mr. Spratt, and her lover Michael Gregson. She has also forgiven and reconciled with those who have hurt her, such as her sister Mary, her father Robert, and her husband Bertie. She has a big heart and a generous spirit, and she cares deeply about the people in her life.

Extraversion Keep in the background. Moderately Inaccurate 4

Lady Edith Crawley may have felt like she was in the background in the past, when she was overshadowed by her sisters or ignored by her suitors. But she has grown a lot since then, and she has shown that she can stand out and shine in her own way. She has achieved a lot of success and recognition in her career, and she has also become a powerful and influential figure in the aristocracy, as the wife of the Marquess of Hexham. She may not seek attention or fame, but she does not shy away from them either. She is proud of who she is and what she has done.

Extraversion Don't talk a lot. Moderately Inaccurate 4

Lady Edith Crawley may not be as outspoken or assertive as her sister Mary, but she does express her opinions and feelings when she needs to. She also has a lot of conversations with her family, friends, colleagues, and lovers throughout the series. She may not talk a lot for the sake of talking, but she does communicate effectively and meaningfully.

Extraversion Talk to a lot of different people at parties. Moderately Accurate 4

I think she does, at least in the later seasons of the show. She seems to have more confidence and charisma, and she also has a lot of connections through her magazine. She probably enjoys talking to people who share her interests in art, culture, politics, and social issues. She may also use her charm and wit to impress potential allies or suitors.

Extraversion Am the life of the party. Moderately Inaccurate 2

Lady Edith Crawley is portrayed as a complex character with her fair share of challenges and triumphs. While she is known for being intelligent, determined, and resourceful, she is not typically depicted as the 'life of the party' in the traditional sense.

* AI-Generated Responses are text output captured from entering an item-related question for this character into a generative AI model such as Chat-GPT, Google Gemini, or Anthropic's Claude. For example, a question for the item "Like order" would be "Does <Character Name> like order?".