In 1849 this call could be heard through the streets of Dublin and, believe it or not, there were twelve men who answered. These gentlemen with a love for all things microscopic gathered together and formed the Dublin Microscopical Club.
There are a variety of microscopes on the table, two of which have been named as the Ross and Powell & Lealand types. In the Dublin Microscopical Club Collection (RCSI/IP/DMC) there are a couple of other interesting items. The attendance book was signed by members and visitors attending the clubs monthly meetings. The attendance book starts on Friday evening 21st November 1856. It continues until November 1862.
But tucked into the back cover is a letter written by William Archer on 11th November 1871 to Mrs. George Dixon on the death of her husband, one of the Club's 12 founding members.
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| Members of the Dublin Microscopical Club dated 1865 |
Some of it's members can be seen in the photo above. Among this group are the following prominent Irish naturalists
Edward Percival Wright (Club's Honorary Secretary) second from right
David Moore (first Curator of Dublin's Botanic Gardens) second from left, slightly blurred
William Archer (one of the Club's 12 founding members) third from right
George James Allman second from left, seated
James Townsend Mackay a Scottish botanist who lived in Ireland
William Thompson
William Thompson
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| Ross type microscops |
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| Powell & Lealand type microscope |
There are a variety of microscopes on the table, two of which have been named as the Ross and Powell & Lealand types. In the Dublin Microscopical Club Collection (RCSI/IP/DMC) there are a couple of other interesting items. The attendance book was signed by members and visitors attending the clubs monthly meetings. The attendance book starts on Friday evening 21st November 1856. It continues until November 1862.
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| Signatures of members and visitor to the Dublin Microscopical Club meeting on 21st November 1856 |
But tucked into the back cover is a letter written by William Archer on 11th November 1871 to Mrs. George Dixon on the death of her husband, one of the Club's 12 founding members.
The letter is tinged with sadness at the loss of a close friend and fellow microscope lover. It also states how the club 'tearfully' resolved to forgo their monthly meeting in honour of George Dixon.
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy