Dr Steevens' Hospital
Encyclopedia
Dr Steevens' Hospital in Dublin was one of Ireland's most distinguished eighteenth-century medical establishments. It was founded under the terms of the will of Dr Richard Steevens (1653-1710), an eminent physician in Dublin, and designed by Thomas Burgh.
), yielding £600 per annum for her life. It was to be used after her death to found a hospital. She, however, decided to use the money during her life, and founded, in 1720, the hospital near Kilmainham
, which bears her brother's name. One condition that she attached to her donation was that she should be allowed to live there, which she did for the rest of her life. She was often to be seen walking the grounds closely veiled, which led to speculation among the local populace. The hospital was for long known as "Madame Steevens' Hospital".
In 1732 died Edward Worth
, one of the most eminent Dublin physicians of his day. He bequeathed to Steevens' Hospital £1,000, his library, valued at £5,000, together with £100 for fitting it up. The hospital houses the Edward Worth Library.
In 1803, in the run-up to Robert Emmett's rebellion, the victims of a powerful explosion at his ammunition depot in Patrick St. were brought to the hospital. They were M'Intosh, the Keenans, Arthur Develin, George M'Donald and a few others, who were blown up at the time of the explosion, some of whom expired in the hospital afterwards.
In 1857 the Dublin School of Medicine was transferred to Dr. Steevens' Hospital and renamed Steevens' Hospital Medical College.
It no longer functions as a general hospital and is now an administrative centre for the Health Service Executive. The renovated and redecorated building faces the south side of Dublin's main railway terminal, Dublin Heuston
(former Kingsbridge Station).
Abraham Colles
(1773-1843) was appointed to the hospital in 1799, where he remained for 42 years.
Sir Henry Marsh
was appointed physician at the hospital in 1820.
Sir Charles Cameron, who later became Chief Medical Officer for Dublin, lectured for many years in chemistry and physics at the medical school in the hospital from 1857.
Thomas Percy Claude Kirkpatrick
(1869-1954) was appointed assistant physician at Dr Steevens's Hospital, which remained central to his medical practice and to his work as an historian. In 1908 he was appointed registrar of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.
Edward Worth
was a governor of the hospital and left his library (which still exists) to it.
History
Miss Griselda Steevens was left by her brother Richard an estate in Westmeath and King's County (now County OffalyCounty Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
), yielding £600 per annum for her life. It was to be used after her death to found a hospital. She, however, decided to use the money during her life, and founded, in 1720, the hospital near Kilmainham
Kilmainham
Kilmainham is a suburb of Dublin south of the River Liffey and west of the city centre, in the Dublin 8 postal district.-History:In the Viking era, the monastery was home to the first Norse base in Ireland....
, which bears her brother's name. One condition that she attached to her donation was that she should be allowed to live there, which she did for the rest of her life. She was often to be seen walking the grounds closely veiled, which led to speculation among the local populace. The hospital was for long known as "Madame Steevens' Hospital".
In 1732 died Edward Worth
Edward Worth
Edward Worth was an Irish politician, physician and book collector.He was born into a prosperous Church of Ireland family, his father being Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin....
, one of the most eminent Dublin physicians of his day. He bequeathed to Steevens' Hospital £1,000, his library, valued at £5,000, together with £100 for fitting it up. The hospital houses the Edward Worth Library.
In 1803, in the run-up to Robert Emmett's rebellion, the victims of a powerful explosion at his ammunition depot in Patrick St. were brought to the hospital. They were M'Intosh, the Keenans, Arthur Develin, George M'Donald and a few others, who were blown up at the time of the explosion, some of whom expired in the hospital afterwards.
In 1857 the Dublin School of Medicine was transferred to Dr. Steevens' Hospital and renamed Steevens' Hospital Medical College.
It no longer functions as a general hospital and is now an administrative centre for the Health Service Executive. The renovated and redecorated building faces the south side of Dublin's main railway terminal, Dublin Heuston
Dublin Heuston railway station
Dublin Heuston , commonly called Heuston Station , is one of Ireland's main railway stations, serving the south, southwest and west. It is operated by Iarnród Éireann , the national railway operator...
(former Kingsbridge Station).
Notable physicians
Dr. Proby (1661-1729), a native of Dublin, was a popular physician at the time of the foundation of Dr. Steevens' Hospital. To that institution he was devotedly attached, and in its chapel he desired to be buried. He left, on his death, a daughter whose husband, John Nichols (died 1767), was a doctor and who succeeded him in his office as first surgeon in the hospital. Nichols was also surgeon to the Dublin Hospital for Incurables as well as Surgeon-General of the Irish Army.Abraham Colles
Abraham Colles
Abraham Colles was professor of Anatomy, Surgery and Physiology at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Descended from a Worcestershire family, some of whom had sat in Parliament, he was born to William Colles and Mary Anne Bates of Woodbroak, Co. Wexford...
(1773-1843) was appointed to the hospital in 1799, where he remained for 42 years.
Sir Henry Marsh
Sir Henry Marsh, 1st Baronet
Sir Henry Marsh, 1st Baronet was an Irish physician and surgeon.He was born in Loughrea, County Galway in Ireland. He was one of the medical doctors associated with Basedow's syndrome, which is also known as Marsh's disease and currently as Graves' disease.-Biography:Marsh originally wanted to...
was appointed physician at the hospital in 1820.
Sir Charles Cameron, who later became Chief Medical Officer for Dublin, lectured for many years in chemistry and physics at the medical school in the hospital from 1857.
Thomas Percy Claude Kirkpatrick
Percy Kirkpatrick
Thomas Percy Claude Kirkpatrick was an eminent Irish physician, historian and writer.-Life:He was born in Dublin, son of John Rutherford Kirkpatrick, also a noted physician. He was educated at Foyle College, Derry, and Trinity College, Dublin. He became an MD at 26 years of age. In 1900, he was...
(1869-1954) was appointed assistant physician at Dr Steevens's Hospital, which remained central to his medical practice and to his work as an historian. In 1908 he was appointed registrar of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.
Edward Worth
Edward Worth
Edward Worth was an Irish politician, physician and book collector.He was born into a prosperous Church of Ireland family, his father being Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin....
was a governor of the hospital and left his library (which still exists) to it.