Anthony Traill
1904 – 1914 (c. 1838-1914)
Anthony Traill was born in County Antrim in 1838. His family was of Scottish origin, but had been settled in Ireland for two generations.1 He graduated from Trinity College in 1860 with honors in mathematics and experimental science, and was elected Fellow in 1865. While acting as a busy and popular tutor and an active member of the University Council and innumerable committees, he achieved doctorates in law and medicine. Traill had also been closely involved with his brother in a project that produced the first hydro-electric passenger tram-way in the British Isles, a line running from Bushmills to Portrush in Co Antrim.2 Although his appointment as Provost in 1904 came as a surprise, he managed skilfully the problems relating to the admission of women and the threat presented by Bryce’s university scheme, and successfully coaxed the Fellows into agreement on a scheme of moderate constitutional reform in 1911.3 He died in 1914, two months after the outbreak of the World War I.
Painting Details
By J. Sydney R Rowley
Oil on canvas