With the bicentenary of Sir William Wilde only around the corner, the RCSI Heritage Collections decided to look at another gifted eye and ear surgeon who lived, worked and taught in Dublin at the same time as Wilde. A major difference between these two characters was their levels of flamboyancy and it's because of this that Arthur Jacob is not as widely known as Wilde.
Arthur came from a medical family. His father, John, was Surgeon to Queen's County Infirmary and enjoyed a large practice while his grandfather, Michael, was also a surgeon. Arthur started his medical education be becoming indentured to his father in 1808. In 1811 he became a pupil of Abraham Colles in Steevens' Hospital. Like many other surgeons of the time, Arthur travelled to further his surgical knowledge. He went to the University of Edinburgh and graduated with an M.D. in 1814. The it was to London where he studied under and became friends with Sir Benjamin Brodie, Sir Astley Cooper and Sir W. Lawernce.
When Arthur returned to Dublin in 1819 he was appointed a Demonstrator of Anatomy in Trinity College, Dublin. A position he held until 1824 when along with James Cusack (PRCSI 1827, 1847 and 1853) he founded the Park Street School. Arthur became a Licentiate of the College in 1813 and a Member the following year. He then began to become entwined with the workings and teachings of the College. In 1826 he became Professor of Anatomy and Physiology, in 1837 he was eletced President of RCSI and in 1838 along with Henry Maunsell he established the Dublin Medical Press.
Arthur was an exceptional eye surgeon and published a number of significant papers including Inflammation of the Eyeball (1849). He discovered the delicate membrane that contains the rods and cones of the retina and is named 'membrana Jacobi' in his honour. Arthur also invented the curved needle used in cataract surgery, Jacob's needle, from an ordinary sewing needle.
To honour Arthur's outstanding contribution to the College decided to present him with a beautiful medal which can be seen above. The inscription reads
'Arthur Jacob, M.D., F.R.C.S.I., Prof. of Anat. and Phys. Roy. Coll. of Surgeons in Ireland, In Commemoration of Eminent Services Rendered to the Profession in Ireland, 1860.'
Upon his retirement Arthur and his family moved to Barrow-in-Furness in Lancashire. It is there that he died at the age of 85 on 21 September 1874.
The gossip of the day when Arthur and Wilde were both practising and teaching in Dublin was that there was no love lost between them. Arthur was known for his writing articles that controversially argued, refuted or attacked a particular doctrine or opinion. Wilde was known for having a short temper.
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| Bust of Arthur Jacob by Joseph Robinson Kirk |
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| Arthur Jacob PRCSI 1837 and 1864 |
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| Arthur Jacob's indenture to his father, John, dated 1808 |
When Arthur returned to Dublin in 1819 he was appointed a Demonstrator of Anatomy in Trinity College, Dublin. A position he held until 1824 when along with James Cusack (PRCSI 1827, 1847 and 1853) he founded the Park Street School. Arthur became a Licentiate of the College in 1813 and a Member the following year. He then began to become entwined with the workings and teachings of the College. In 1826 he became Professor of Anatomy and Physiology, in 1837 he was eletced President of RCSI and in 1838 along with Henry Maunsell he established the Dublin Medical Press.
Arthur was an exceptional eye surgeon and published a number of significant papers including Inflammation of the Eyeball (1849). He discovered the delicate membrane that contains the rods and cones of the retina and is named 'membrana Jacobi' in his honour. Arthur also invented the curved needle used in cataract surgery, Jacob's needle, from an ordinary sewing needle.
'Arthur Jacob, M.D., F.R.C.S.I., Prof. of Anat. and Phys. Roy. Coll. of Surgeons in Ireland, In Commemoration of Eminent Services Rendered to the Profession in Ireland, 1860.'
Upon his retirement Arthur and his family moved to Barrow-in-Furness in Lancashire. It is there that he died at the age of 85 on 21 September 1874.
The gossip of the day when Arthur and Wilde were both practising and teaching in Dublin was that there was no love lost between them. Arthur was known for his writing articles that controversially argued, refuted or attacked a particular doctrine or opinion. Wilde was known for having a short temper.
What an interesting dinner party that would make!
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy