Eeek.
Well, thanks for the kudos, but MB is right. Education of Judith Collins is just fanfic. Not even a finished fanfic at that. I have a pretty strict definition of canon myself and fanfic doesn't even come close.
That said, I think that the shallowness Edith of 1840 displays still fits with what we are told canonically and what we see of her in 1897. I tried to imply that Edith was pretty vapid in my own version too.
Let's look at where she is prior to Gerard's invite to the "Wednesday canasta club" (love that, btw). She's not exactly had the room to be all she can be. Collinwood ain't her house. Daniel and Samantha have been ruling the roost. Then she's married to Mr. Cheer there.
She's not (and I suspect knows it) an intellectual. I'm also guessing that she doesn't have the clearest idea of what it is she wants out of life other than getting laid, ditching Gabriel, and having some pin money to spend.
My idea, which is up for debate, of course, is that it's only after she gets her powers and presumably [spoiler]survives Gerard's attempt to rid himself of her,[/spoiler] that she starts to realize there's more to be had out of life.
I have never seen her as being particularly smart--shrewd, yes, smart no. On the other hand, when you consider what Edith would have to accomplish to get herself to be head of the family [spoiler]dispatch or immobilize: Quentin, Tad, Daphne; take control of the business; etc.[/spoiler] I would imagine that Edith would have been forced to practice patience, plan out a strategy, etc. Sometimes there are people who don't realize what they have in them until they're forced to act a certain way.
The 1897 Edith is still pretty shallow and kinda mean. She's into pretty, if impractical bed jackets, ordering people around, receiving presents, and being charmed. Sweet old lady doesn't necessarily equal sweet little old lady.