Edward O'Neal graduated at the top of his class from LaGrange College and was admitted to the bar in 1840. He began his career in the public sector, serving in Alabama's fourth judicial circuit. O'Neal commanded various military units during the Civil War, rising to the rank of colonel, though his performance led to both commendation and relief from command. After the war, he chaired the Committee on Education at the Alabama Constitutional Convention and later served as governor of Alabama from 1882 to 1886.

Edward O'Neal's political identity is marked by a complex blend of regional loyalty and military valor, coupled with a strategic approach to education reform. His advocacy for Alabama's secession reveals a deep commitment to regional interests, while his military leadership during the Civil War, despite mixed outcomes, showcases a calculated risk-taking. O'Neal's tenure as governor and his role in shaping Alabama's educational policies hint at a nuanced understanding of balancing local needs with broader systemic reforms.