Dr Steevens' Hospital (also called Dr Steevens's Hospital) (Irish: Ospidéal an Dr Steevens), one of Ireland's most distinguished eighteenth-century medical establishments, was located at Kilmainham in Dublin Ireland. It was founded under the terms of the will of Dr Richard Steevens, an eminent physician in Dublin. The seal of the hospital consisted of 'The Good Samaritan healing the wounds of the fallen traveller' with the motto beneath "Do Thou Likewise".[1]
Madame Grizell Steevens, who never married,[2] was left an income by her brother Dr Richard Steevens (1653-1710), an eminent physician in Dublin. The income was from an estate in County Westmeath and King's County which gave her £600 per annum for her life. Dr Steevens' will stated that the money was to be used to found a hospital after her death. She, however, decided to accelerate the process such that it happened during her life, and founded Dr Steevens' Hospital in 1720. 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.[3] The hospital was designed by Thomas Burgh[4] and was built around a quaint old courtyard, with its arches forming a sort of cloister all around, and with peculiar attic windows that cut across the intersection of the roofs at each corner.[5]
She was often to be seen walking the grounds closely veiled, which led to speculation among the local Dublin populace, that she had a face like the snout of a pig, and that for the shame she would not let it be seen. This unpleasant appearance was said to be the result of a curse consequent to a petulant and unfeeling remark made by her mother when pestered by the importunities of a beggar woman, with a baby at her breast, and a tribe of children at her heels. Grizell said "Get away, you are like an old sow, with a litter of bonhams". The beggar retorted with the wish that the lady's next child might be like the animal to which she had been compared.[6] The hospital was for long known as "Madame Steevens' Hospital".[4]
In 1732, Edward Worth, one of the most eminent Dublin physicians of his day, died and bequeathed to Steevens' Hospital £1,000 and his library, then valued at £5,000, together with £100 for fitting it up. The hospital built a specially designed room to house the Edward Worth Library, where it remains to this day under updated protective conditions.[8]
In 1803, in the run-up to Robert Emmet's rebellion, the victims of a powerful explosion at his ammunition depot in Patrick Street were brought to the hospital. They included Darby Byrne and one of the Keenans, who were blown up at the time of the explosion and died in the hospital afterwards.[9]
In 1857 the Dublin School of Medicine was transferred to Dr. Steevens' Hospital and renamed Steevens' Hospital Medical College.[10] The hospital closed in 1987[11] and subsequently became the administrative headquarters of the Health Service Executive.[12]
Four soldiers from the Royal Irish Regiment are buried alongside two Irish Volunteers in the hospital grounds, all casualties of the 1916 Easter Rising.[13]
Records
The hospital records are preserved and contain many curious entries, among others one as to the daily diet of a patient. The patient received around two quarts of small beer with his meals, because before tea and coffee came into general use, beer was almost the only alternative to water (which was often unclean).[14] In recognition of this tradition, in the last days of the hospital operating as a hospital, Messrs. Arthur Guinness (a neighbour) provided Guinness beer in 1/3 pint bottles for all the patients and staff.[15]
Notable physicians
Notable physicians included:
Sir Charles Cameron, appointed lecturer in chemistry and physics at the medical school in the hospital in 1857; subsequently became Chief Medical Officer for Dublin.[16]
Samuel Clossy, at the invitation of Dr William Stephens conducted autopsies at the Hospital, knowledge from which he published in his Observations on some of the diseases of the parts of the body; chiefly taken from the dissection of morbid bodies (1763).[17]
Abraham Colles (1773-1843), appointed as physician to the hospital in 1799 and remained there for 42 years.[18]
Sir Peter Freyer spent some time at the hospital as a resident pupil before graduating and setting off to join the Indian Medical Service.[19]
Thomas Percy Claude Kirkpatrick (1869-1954), appointed assistant physician at the hospital; subsequently registrar of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.[20]
^D.A. Chart, The Story of Dublin (London, 1932), pp273
^D.A. Chart, The Story of Dublin (London, 1932), p.275
^King, S. C. (1785). A short history of Steevens' Hospital.
^ abCraig, Maurice (2006) [1952]. Dublin 1660-1860. pp. 122–124. ISBN1-905483-11-2.
^D.A. Chart, The Story of Dublin (London, 1932), p.274
^D.A. Chart, The Story of Dublin (London, 1932), pp263-4
^DG18 Dr Steevens' Hospital. Dublin City Council. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
^ ab"The Edward Worth Library". Edwardworthlibrary.ie. 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015. ...[T]he website of the Edward Worth Library (1733).
^"The Rising of 1803 in Dublin". History Ireland. 2003. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
^Preston, Margaret (2004). Charitable Words: Women, Philanthropy, and the Language of Charity in Nineteenth-Century Dublin. Praeger. p. 135. ISBN978-0275979300.
^"Dr Steevens' Hospital: 1733-1987". Dr Steevens' Hospital. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
^"HSE's Dr Steevens' Hospital to open its doors for Culture Night". Health Service Executive. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
^"The forgotten Dublin graves of the British who died in 1916". Irish Central. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
^D.A. Chart, The Story of Dublin (London, 1932), pp274-5
^Cameron, Sir Charles (1913). Reminiscences of Sir Charles Cameron, Chief Medical Officer of Dublin Corporation. Dublin: Hodges & Figgis.
^Stookey, Byron (1964). "SAMUEL CLOSSY, A. B., M. D, F. R. C. P. OF IRELAND: First Professor of Anatomy, King's College (Columbia), New York". Bulletin of the History of Medicine. 38 (2): 153–167. ISSN 0007-5140. JSTOR 44451190. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
^Boylan, Henry (1998). A Dictionary of Irish Biography, 3rd Edition. Dublin: Gill and MacMillan. p. 73. ISBN0-7171-2945-4.
^Sir Peter Freyer's Papers. 1805-1987. NUI Galway. Reference code P57.
^Kirkpatrick, Thomas Percy Claude (2008). The History of Dr Steevens' Hospital, Dublin 1720-1920. Dublin: University College Dublin. ISBN978-1-906359-16-4.
^Alfred Webb: A Compendium of Irish Biography. Dublin, 1878
^"Richard Steevens". Dr Steevens' Hospital. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
Further reading
Kirkpatrick, Thomas Percy Claude (2008). The History of Dr Steevens' Hospital, Dublin 1720-1920. Dublin: University College Dublin. ISBN978-1-906359-16-4. (Originally published: Dublin : University Press, 1924.)
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dr. Steevens' Hospital.
Architecture Dublin site – Dr. Steevens' Hospital
Edward Worth Library official website
January 06, 2023
steevens, hospital, also, called, steevens, hospital, irish, ospidéal, steevens, ireland, most, distinguished, eighteenth, century, medical, establishments, located, kilmainham, dublin, ireland, founded, under, terms, will, richard, steevens, eminent, physicia. Dr Steevens Hospital also called Dr Steevens s Hospital Irish Ospideal an Dr Steevens one of Ireland s most distinguished eighteenth century medical establishments was located at Kilmainham in Dublin Ireland It was founded under the terms of the will of Dr Richard Steevens an eminent physician in Dublin The seal of the hospital consisted of The Good Samaritan healing the wounds of the fallen traveller with the motto beneath Do Thou Likewise 1 Dr Steevens HospitalHealth Service ExecutiveDr Steevens HospitalShown in DublinGeographyLocationKilmainham Dublin IrelandCoordinates53 20 43 N 6 17 32 W 53 34528 N 6 29222 W 53 34528 6 29222 Coordinates 53 20 43 N 6 17 32 W 53 34528 N 6 29222 W 53 34528 6 29222OrganisationCare systemHSETypeGeneral HospitalHistoryOpened1720Closed1987It is currently the location of the Health Service Executive administrative headquarters Contents 1 History 2 Records 3 Notable physicians 4 See also 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksHistory EditMadame Grizell Steevens who never married 2 was left an income by her brother Dr Richard Steevens 1653 1710 an eminent physician in Dublin The income was from an estate in County Westmeath and King s County which gave her 600 per annum for her life Dr Steevens will stated that the money was to be used to found a hospital after her death She however decided to accelerate the process such that it happened during her life and founded Dr Steevens Hospital in 1720 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 3 The hospital was designed by Thomas Burgh 4 and was built around a quaint old courtyard with its arches forming a sort of cloister all around and with peculiar attic windows that cut across the intersection of the roofs at each corner 5 She was often to be seen walking the grounds closely veiled which led to speculation among the local Dublin populace that she had a face like the snout of a pig and that for the shame she would not let it be seen This unpleasant appearance was said to be the result of a curse consequent to a petulant and unfeeling remark made by her mother when pestered by the importunities of a beggar woman with a baby at her breast and a tribe of children at her heels Grizell said Get away you are like an old sow with a litter of bonhams The beggar retorted with the wish that the lady s next child might be like the animal to which she had been compared 6 The hospital was for long known as Madame Steevens Hospital 4 Dr Steevens Hospital in 1780 7 In 1732 Edward Worth one of the most eminent Dublin physicians of his day died and bequeathed to Steevens Hospital 1 000 and his library then valued at 5 000 together with 100 for fitting it up The hospital built a specially designed room to house the Edward Worth Library where it remains to this day under updated protective conditions 8 In 1803 in the run up to Robert Emmet s rebellion the victims of a powerful explosion at his ammunition depot in Patrick Street were brought to the hospital They included Darby Byrne and one of the Keenans who were blown up at the time of the explosion and died in the hospital afterwards 9 In 1857 the Dublin School of Medicine was transferred to Dr Steevens Hospital and renamed Steevens Hospital Medical College 10 The hospital closed in 1987 11 and subsequently became the administrative headquarters of the Health Service Executive 12 Four soldiers from the Royal Irish Regiment are buried alongside two Irish Volunteers in the hospital grounds all casualties of the 1916 Easter Rising 13 Records EditThe hospital records are preserved and contain many curious entries among others one as to the daily diet of a patient The patient received around two quarts of small beer with his meals because before tea and coffee came into general use beer was almost the only alternative to water which was often unclean 14 In recognition of this tradition in the last days of the hospital operating as a hospital Messrs Arthur Guinness a neighbour provided Guinness beer in 1 3 pint bottles for all the patients and staff 15 Notable physicians EditNotable physicians included Sir Charles Cameron appointed lecturer in chemistry and physics at the medical school in the hospital in 1857 subsequently became Chief Medical Officer for Dublin 16 Samuel Clossy at the invitation of Dr William Stephens conducted autopsies at the Hospital knowledge from which he published in his Observations on some of the diseases of the parts of the body chiefly taken from the dissection of morbid bodies 1763 17 Abraham Colles 1773 1843 appointed as physician to the hospital in 1799 and remained there for 42 years 18 Sir Peter Freyer spent some time at the hospital as a resident pupil before graduating and setting off to join the Indian Medical Service 19 Thomas Percy Claude Kirkpatrick 1869 1954 appointed assistant physician at the hospital subsequently registrar of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland 20 Sir Henry Marsh appointed physician at the hospital in 1820 21 Dr Thomas Proby 1661 1729 a native of Dublin appointed physician at the time of the foundation of the hospital 22 Edward Worth was a governor of the hospital and left his library to it 8 See also EditSt Patrick s University Hospital a neighbouring psychiatric hospital founded in 1747References Edit D A Chart The Story of Dublin London 1932 pp273 D A Chart The Story of Dublin London 1932 p 275 King S C 1785 A short history of Steevens Hospital a b Craig Maurice 2006 1952 Dublin 1660 1860 pp 122 124 ISBN 1 905483 11 2 D A Chart The Story of Dublin London 1932 p 274 D A Chart The Story of Dublin London 1932 pp263 4 DG18 Dr Steevens Hospital Dublin City Council Retrieved 4 May 2018 a b The Edward Worth Library Edwardworthlibrary ie 2015 Retrieved 20 December 2015 T he website of the Edward Worth Library 1733 The Rising of 1803 in Dublin History Ireland 2003 Retrieved 5 May 2019 Preston Margaret 2004 Charitable Words Women Philanthropy and the Language of Charity in Nineteenth Century Dublin Praeger p 135 ISBN 978 0275979300 Dr Steevens Hospital 1733 1987 Dr Steevens Hospital Retrieved 5 May 2019 HSE s Dr Steevens Hospital to open its doors for Culture Night Health Service Executive 14 September 2018 Retrieved 5 May 2019 The forgotten Dublin graves of the British who died in 1916 Irish Central Retrieved 30 January 2021 D A Chart The Story of Dublin London 1932 pp274 5 personal recollections Cameron Sir Charles 1913 Reminiscences of Sir Charles Cameron Chief Medical Officer of Dublin Corporation Dublin Hodges amp Figgis Stookey Byron 1964 SAMUEL CLOSSY A B M D F R C P OF IRELAND First Professor of Anatomy King s College Columbia New York Bulletin of the History of Medicine 38 2 153 167 ISSN 0007 5140 JSTOR 44451190 Retrieved 15 October 2020 Boylan Henry 1998 A Dictionary of Irish Biography 3rd Edition Dublin Gill and MacMillan p 73 ISBN 0 7171 2945 4 Sir Peter Freyer s Papers 1805 1987 NUI Galway Reference code P57 Kirkpatrick Thomas Percy Claude 2008 The History of Dr Steevens Hospital Dublin 1720 1920 Dublin University College Dublin ISBN 978 1 906359 16 4 Alfred Webb A Compendium of Irish Biography Dublin 1878 Richard Steevens Dr Steevens Hospital Retrieved 5 May 2019 Further reading EditKirkpatrick Thomas Percy Claude 2008 The History of Dr Steevens Hospital Dublin 1720 1920 Dublin University College Dublin ISBN 978 1 906359 16 4 Originally published Dublin University Press 1924 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dr Steevens Hospital Architecture Dublin site Dr Steevens Hospital Edward Worth Library official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dr Steevens 27 Hospital amp oldid 1128116817, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
