Robert Rowlette
Encyclopedia
Robert James Rowlette was an Irish
doctor and an independent Teachta Dála
(TD) in the Irish Free State
. He was later a member of Seanad Éireann
.
in 1899. He was, at various times, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
and of the Royal Irish Academy of Medicine and the editor of the Journal of the Irish Medical Organisation
.
As well as holding several hospital appointments (including Mercer's Hospital
) and consultancies, he was King's Professor of Materia Medica and Pharmacy in the University of Dublin
and Professor in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
.
, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on his discharge. He was mentioned in dispatches
while serving in France.
He had a long involvement in long distance athletics, both as a competitor in his younger years and later in the administration of the Irish Amateur Athletics Association and, after 1922, the National Athletic and Cycling Association of Ireland.
He was Honorary Physician to the British Olympic team at the 1920 Summer Olympics
(Antwerp) and to the Irish teams at the 1924 Summer Olympics
(Paris) and 1928 Summer Olympics
(Amsterdam), the first two occasions on which an independent Irish team competed.
in a by-election on 13 October 1933, following the death of sitting TD Professor Sir James Craig
.
In 1937, the University constituencies were transferred to Seanad Éireann
, and Rowlette was then elected for three successive terms, to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Seanads..
He failed to gain re-election to the Seanad in 1944, finishing as the runner-up by a margin of 5 votes out of a total valid poll of 2,297.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
doctor and an independent Teachta Dála
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
(TD) in the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
. He was later a member of Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
.
Education and career
Dr Rowlette attended Sligo School and Trinity College Dublin, from which he received his M.D.Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
in 1899. He was, at various times, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland , was founded in 1654 and is a postgraduate medical organisation comprising Members and Fellows...
and of the Royal Irish Academy of Medicine and the editor of the Journal of the Irish Medical Organisation
Irish Medical Organisation
The Irish Medical Organisation is a Professional association for Doctors in the Republic of Ireland which also acts as a Trade Union representing doctors in negotiations with the Irish government....
.
As well as holding several hospital appointments (including Mercer's Hospital
Mercer's Hospital
Mercer's Hospital in Dublin, Ireland is a former hospital, converted in the 1990s into a medical centre, part of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.-History:...
) and consultancies, he was King's Professor of Materia Medica and Pharmacy in the University of Dublin
University of Dublin
The University of Dublin , corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin , located in Dublin, Ireland, was effectively founded when in 1592 Queen Elizabeth I issued a charter for Trinity College, Dublin, as "the mother of a university" – this date making it...
and Professor in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , is a Dublin-based medical institution, situated on St. Stephen's Green. The college is one of the five Recognised Colleges of the National University of Ireland...
.
Military and Sporting Activities
During the First World War he served in the Royal Army Medical CorpsRoyal Army Medical Corps
The Royal Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace...
, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on his discharge. He was mentioned in dispatches
Mentioned in Dispatches
A soldier Mentioned in Despatches is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which is described the soldier's gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy.In a number of countries, a soldier's name must be mentioned in...
while serving in France.
He had a long involvement in long distance athletics, both as a competitor in his younger years and later in the administration of the Irish Amateur Athletics Association and, after 1922, the National Athletic and Cycling Association of Ireland.
He was Honorary Physician to the British Olympic team at the 1920 Summer Olympics
1920 Summer Olympics
The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium....
(Antwerp) and to the Irish teams at the 1924 Summer Olympics
1924 Summer Olympics
The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in Paris, France...
(Paris) and 1928 Summer Olympics
1928 Summer Olympics
The 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1928 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Amsterdam had bid for the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games, but had to give way to war-victim Antwerp, Belgium, and Pierre de...
(Amsterdam), the first two occasions on which an independent Irish team competed.
Political career
Dr Rowlette was elected to the 8th Dáil as one of the three TDs for the Dublin University constituencyDublin University (constituency)
University of Dublin is a university constituency in Ireland, which has been used to elect members of various legislative bodies including currently Seanad Éireann. Alternative names are Dublin University or Trinity College, Dublin...
in a by-election on 13 October 1933, following the death of sitting TD Professor Sir James Craig
James Craig (Irish Professor)
Sir James Craig was an Irish professor of Medicine and an independent Teachta Dála in the Irish Free State.He was educated at the Coleraine Academical Institution and Trinity College, Dublin, where he obtained the B.A. and M.B., B.Ch. degrees of the University in 1885. He proceeded M.D...
.
In 1937, the University constituencies were transferred to Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
, and Rowlette was then elected for three successive terms, to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Seanads..
He failed to gain re-election to the Seanad in 1944, finishing as the runner-up by a margin of 5 votes out of a total valid poll of 2,297.