science

science. The history of Irish science begins in the 17th century with individuals such as Robert Boyle, William Petty, and William Molyneux, and with the Dublin Philosophical Society. But it was only as prosperity and population increased after 1700 that a socio‐economic context favourable to sustained scientific inquiry developed. Bodies such as the Royal Dublin Society (1731), the Physico‐Historical Society (1744), the Royal Irish Academy (1785), and the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society (1821) encouraged the application of science to agriculture and industry. The expansion of higher education helped to create a larger pool of scientific talent. Maynooth, the Queen's Colleges, and other university‐level foundations taught scientific subjects; vocational courses were available at the Museum of Irish Industry (founded 1845, renamed ‘Royal College of Science’, 1867), the City of Dublin Technical School (founded 1887), and technical schools in the provinces. At Trinity College, science subjects were revised or introduced: thus, the mathematics syllabus was reformed by Bartholomew Lloyd (professor in 1813), who introduced French texts and methods, and the engineering school was established (1843) by his son Humphrey Lloyd. The social and institutional foundations of science in Ireland were further strengthened by the entry into higher education of women, who henceforth augmented the number of scientists, and the creation of more institutions of higher education in the 20th century.

Ireland's new ability to sustain scientific enterprise was seen in astronomy. Large observatories were built at Dunsink (opened in the mid‐1780s) and Armagh (founded 1791). A sizeable private observatory was built at Birr (see parsons, william) in 1845; others were at Markree (1831), Millbrook (1866), Daramona (1871), and Sherrington (1877). In Dublin, John Ellard Gore (from 1879) and William Stanley Monck (from 1888) also had private observatories. Irish observatories made a significant contribution to observational astronomy, and in Howard Grubb (1844–1931) Ireland had a telescope maker of international renown.

Irish scientists made important contributions to their particular disciplines. In chemistry William Higgins (1763–1825) claimed to have anticipated the atomic theory of John Dalton, and Thomas Andrews (1813–85) investigated the properties of gases. In physics, Nicolas Callan (1799–1864) and George Johnston Stoney (1826–1911) worked on electricity. Humphrey Lloyd (1800–81) was internationally known for his studies in optics and magnetism. The work of George Francis Fitz‐Gerald (1851–1901) stimulated controversies among physicists that contributed to the later emergence of the theory of relativity. John Joly (1857–1933), remembered as a geologist, also pioneered the use of radioactivity in the treatment of cancer. In atomic physics, Ernest Walton was awarded the Nobel prize. Ireland produced fine mathematicians. In addition to William Rowan Hamilton, other notable figures were his rival James McCullagh (1809–47), George Boole (1815–64), and John Lighton Synge (1897–1995). Other famous scientists were born or raised in Ireland, but worked elsewhere: they include the physician and natural historian Hans Sloane (1660–1753), who maintained important correspondence with French scientists, the chemist Joseph Black (1728–99), who evolved the theory of ‘latent heat’, John Tyndall (1820–93), for many years superintendent of the Royal Institution, and George G. Stokes (1819–1903), famed for his research in optical phenomena. In the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies with its School of Theoretical Physics (founded 1940), Ireland was furnished with an institution capable of patronizing research at the highest level.

Some scientists have taken Ireland itself as their object of investigation. In natural history, John Templeton (1766–1825) was the first seriously to study the botany and zoology of Ireland. William Thompson (1805–52) undertook a survey of the flora and fauna of the country; he received much help from the entomologist Mary Ball (1812–98). The dominant figure in more recent times was Robert Lloyd Praeger (1865–1953), who inspired scholars such as the botanist David Charles Webb (1912–94). In geology, the Geological Society of Dublin (founded 1831) and the Geological Survey of Ireland (founded 1845) undertook surveys; they were guided by Richard Griffith (1784–1878), whose geological map of Ireland (1839) remains a classic. Geological and Quaternary studies were further developed by William Bourke Wright (1876–1939), Anthony Farrington (1893–1973), George Francis Mitchell (1912–97), and others who continued to elucidate the natural and geological history of Ireland.

See also medical schools.

Bibliography

Nudds, J. R., McMillan, N. D., Weaire, D. L., and Lawlor, S. M. P. (eds.), Science in Ireland, 1800–1930: Tradition and Reform (1988)

David Sturdy