Edward Pritchard was born in Eagle Lake, Texas on September 11, 1904 to William Richard Pritchard and Eva Helena Kriegsmann Pritchard. He attended the University of South Carolina, receiving his undergraduate degree in 1927 and an LL.B. in 1930. He began the practice of law in Charleston, South Carolina in 1930. He was a member of the law firm of Stoney, Crosland and Pritchard from 1930–1948 and practiced with his brother-in-law, deRossett Myers from 1949–1964 and was senior member of the firm of Pritchard, Myers, Morrison, Bloom and Rutledge, P.A. from 1964–1977.
Edward Pritchard was a member of the Charleston County Bar Association; South Carolina Bar Association; American Bar Association. He served as President of the Charleston County Bar Association in 1957–1958, was the President of the South Carolina Bar Association in 1963, and served as Chairman of the National Conference of Bar Presidents in 1969–1970.
He was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1926–1930, Police Recorder (Municipal Judge) City of Charleston 1948, served as Special Circuit Court Judge in Chester, South Carolina and Beaufort, South Carolina, Delegate to Democratic National Convention 1952 and 1956, and Presidential Elector for Adlai Stevenson 1952.
His community service included membership in the Kiwanis Club of Charleston and President in 1937, Lieutenant Governor of Carolina District Kiwanis Clubs International 1940, a member of St. Andrews Society, Carolina Yacht Club, Charleston Lodge of Elks, Masons, Hibernian Society, Hobcaw Yacht Club and Phi Beta Kappa Society. He was also a member and Vestryman of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church.
Edward Pritchard married Julia Myers Pritchard, who died May 1989. He had five children, Posey P. Bensen, who died May 2000, Edward K. Pritchard, Jr., Julia Pritchard, Elizabeth Pritchard Bowles, and Louisa Pritchard Hawkins.