Ronnie Drew presents the story Richard Kirwan, the eighteenth century scientist from County Galway.
Richard Kirwan (1733 – 1812) was an eighteenth century meteorologist, chemist, mineralogist, geologist, and meteorologist from County Galway. Having studied classics and then theology in France, he later converted to the Church of Ireland and studied law in London.
Called to the Irish bar in 1766 he did not pursue a career in law, turning his attention instead to science. In 1787 he returned to Ireland permanently and from his home on Cavendish Row in Dublin researched and wrote books and academic papers on chemistry, geology, mineralogy and meteorology.
People at that time based their weather forecasts on proverbs and folk beliefs, but the extent of Kirwan's meteorological research became so well known that farmers would write to him asking for advice as to when they should sow their crops,
He had to employ a special secretary to deal with correspondence.
As this was the era when science was in its infancy, research and study was limited to a privileged few and consisted mainly of
A country gentleman pouring over books and fiddling with primitive equipment in his library.
A founder member of the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) in 1785, Richard Kirwan served as its president from 1799 until the year of his death in 1812, when his collection of scientific books were bequeathed to the Academy's library.
Held in high esteem by his peers, Kirwan was awarded medals by the Royal Society and Royal Dublin Society (RDS) for his scientific achievements. He was also an honorary member of many Academies across Europe and the United States.
This episode of 'Irish Men and Irish Women’ was broadcast on 24 October 1977. The presenter is Ronnie Drew.
