'He [Sir Thomas Myles] attained enormous strength and was a
sufficiently skilled boxer to fight a few rounds with the
heavy-weight champion, John L. Sullivan.'
John L. Sullivan, aka the Boston Strong Boy, was quite the formidable opponent for a surgeon to step into the ring with. But Sir Thomas Myles was no ordinary surgeon.
Myles was born in Limerick on 20th April 1857 to a family long associated with that city. He began his school life in Limerick which with time took him to Trinity College Dublin, Vienna and the Richmond Hospital. Myles graduated from Trinity in 1881 with his M.B. and B.Ch. That same year he was chosen to be Resident Surgeon in Dr. Steevens' Hospital. Widdess tells us
'His magnificent physique and attainments as an amateur heavy-weight boxer were to sustain his in an arduous duty, which in addition to the other more usual ones, was imposed upon him by the Governors - to keep order amongst the resident pupils.'
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| Sir Thomas Myles (1857-1937) as President of the College in 1900 |
Myles kept the resident pupils in line until he left the position in 1885. That same year he became a Fellow of the College and took up the position of Surgeon in Jervis Street Hospital which he would hold for the next 5 years. When his time came to an end in Jervis, Myles joined the surgical staff in the Richmond where he stayed until the 1930s. Myles received his M.D with distinction from Trinity in 1889.
RCSI founded a Chair of Pathology, the first of its kind in Ireland, in 1889 and appointed Myles to this esteemed position. In 1900 he was elected President of the College and from 1905 to 1910 he represented the College on the General Medical Council. When Myles' term as President ended, in 1902, he received the honour of knighthood. In 1910 he was appointed Honorary Surgeon to the King in Ireland, George IV, and in 1914 he was appointed Consulting Surgeon to the Troops in Ireland with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Though he served the British Empire Myles was also of a strong Nationalist disposition.
Myles became a friend of Erskine Childers and both were keen yachtsmen. Myles' yacht 'The Chotah' was used with the 'Asgard' to take part in the famous Howth gun-running on 1st August 1914. He did not approve of the Easter Rising and dismissed it as a foolhardy venture. But true to his Hippocratic instinct he cared for the wounded of both sides indiscriminately and spent the week carrying out medical duties at the Richmond Hospital for which he was made a Companion of the Order of Bath. Captain Eamon Martin of the Irish Volunteers was brought in severely wounded to Myles who used his rank as Colonel to get Martin to a safety and subsequently to the USA.
As a surgical grinder Myles was incomparable. His ability to describe diseases in a clear, brief, concise and accurate manner were unique and much appreciated by his many students. He accepted and practised aseptic surgery from as early as 1890. In the Richmond Hospital Myles would sterilise his instruments in a kettle on the kitchen fire much to the amazement of the cook. He was also one of the first Dublin surgeons to wear gloves, Mikulicz-Radecki cotton gloves as rubber ones had not yet come into use.
Sir Thomas Myles died in July 1937. His body lay in state and numerous eminent callers came to pay their respects including Eamon de Valera. Myles' gigantic presence was not only reflected in his physical stature but in the numerous honours that were bestowed on him during his glittering career.
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy
RCSI founded a Chair of Pathology, the first of its kind in Ireland, in 1889 and appointed Myles to this esteemed position. In 1900 he was elected President of the College and from 1905 to 1910 he represented the College on the General Medical Council. When Myles' term as President ended, in 1902, he received the honour of knighthood. In 1910 he was appointed Honorary Surgeon to the King in Ireland, George IV, and in 1914 he was appointed Consulting Surgeon to the Troops in Ireland with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Though he served the British Empire Myles was also of a strong Nationalist disposition.
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| Medals warded to Sir Thomas Myles. The first one is a 1914-1920 War medal with oak leaf emblem representing 'Mention-in-Dispatches' |
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| Companion of the Most Honourable Order of Bath 1917. This was awarded to Myles for his distinguished medical services during the Easter Rising |
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| Silver gilt Badge of a Knight Bachelor |
Myles became a friend of Erskine Childers and both were keen yachtsmen. Myles' yacht 'The Chotah' was used with the 'Asgard' to take part in the famous Howth gun-running on 1st August 1914. He did not approve of the Easter Rising and dismissed it as a foolhardy venture. But true to his Hippocratic instinct he cared for the wounded of both sides indiscriminately and spent the week carrying out medical duties at the Richmond Hospital for which he was made a Companion of the Order of Bath. Captain Eamon Martin of the Irish Volunteers was brought in severely wounded to Myles who used his rank as Colonel to get Martin to a safety and subsequently to the USA.
As a surgical grinder Myles was incomparable. His ability to describe diseases in a clear, brief, concise and accurate manner were unique and much appreciated by his many students. He accepted and practised aseptic surgery from as early as 1890. In the Richmond Hospital Myles would sterilise his instruments in a kettle on the kitchen fire much to the amazement of the cook. He was also one of the first Dublin surgeons to wear gloves, Mikulicz-Radecki cotton gloves as rubber ones had not yet come into use.
Sir Thomas Myles died in July 1937. His body lay in state and numerous eminent callers came to pay their respects including Eamon de Valera. Myles' gigantic presence was not only reflected in his physical stature but in the numerous honours that were bestowed on him during his glittering career.
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy