History
Trinity College Dublin as the oldest University in Ireland boasts a rich history and has played a major role in the evolution of Irish Medical Teaching not least in the field of Surgery. The medical school at Trinity was established in 1700. Many graduates of the medical school Trinity College Dublin have become famous throughout the world for their contributions to the practice of Surgery.
Professors of Surgery
Robert William Smith: Professor of Surgery 1849-1873
Robert Smith, Surgeon to Sir Patrick Duns Hospital was appointed the first chair of Surgery at Trinity College when it was established in 1847 Today Robert Smith is remembered in the wrist fracture which he described and continues to bear his name. Smith was interested in many aspects of pathology and was a central figure in the foundation of the Pathological Society of Dublin 1838. Abraham Colles was also a founding member of the society. many aspects of pathology and was a central figure in the foundation of the Pathological Society of Dublin 1838. Abraham Colles was also a founding member of the society.
Edward Hallaran Bennett: Professor of Surgery 1873-1906
Edward Bennett was born in Cork in 1837, the son of a barrister. He enrolled in medical school at Trinity in 1854 at the age of 17. At college he studied under the then Professor Robert Smith under who he developed at interest in fractures. He qualified in 1859 and obtained fellowship of the Royal College of surgeons in 1863. After a period as an anatomy demonstrator he was appointed as Surgeon to Sir Patrick Duns hospital in 1864. Bennett succeeded Robert Smith as Professor of Surgery in 1873 following his death. Today Bennett is best remembered for the fracture he described which still bears his name, perhaps more importantly however Bennett is accredited with having introduced Antisepsis to Dublin Hospitals.
Edward Henry Taylor: Professor of Surgery 1906-1916
Thomas Eagleson Gordon: Professor of Surgery 1916-1929
William Pearson: Professor of Surgery 1929-1953
Robert Francis Jack Henry: Professor of Surgery 1953-1967
William George Fegan: Professor of Surgery 1967-1975
Thomas Patrick Joseph Hennessy: Professor of Surgery 1975-2001
John Vincent Reynolds: Professor of Surgery 2001
Kevin Christopher Paul Conlon: Professor of Surgery 2002
University Professors
1852 James William Cusack
1861 Robert Adams
Regius Professors of Surgery
1868 Robert Adams
1875 William Collis
1891 George Hornidge Porter
1895 Charles Bent Ball
1916 Edward Henry Taylor
1922 William Taylor
1933 Charles Atrhur Kinahan Ball
1946 Adams Andrew McConnell
1961 John Seton Michael Pringle
1967 Nigel Alexander Kinnear
1973 Stanley Thomas McCollum
1984 Thomas Patrick Joseph Hennessy