RCSI Heritage Collections

Today is International Women's Day so we decided to have a look at two women whose links to the College are very different but both equally significant.  The first woman we will look at is Mary Emily Dowson. Mary is very important in the break through of women into the world of education. In 1884 the College met to decide whether they would admit women students and the motion was passed nine votes to three. Mary became the first women to receive a licence from RCSI on 4th June 1886. Her signature in the College's Roll of Licentiates can be seen below.  Mary Emily Dowson's signature RCSI/LIC/02 The Medical Press of the time wrote an article entitled 'The First Lady Surgeon' which gives details about how well Mary performed during her four days of examinations.  Medical Press article about Mary Emily Dowson dated June 1886 The second woman we will look at is Moira Elizabeth Connolly, daughter of the 1916 Easter Rising signatory and socialist...

James Apjohn (1796-1886) was a renowned and respected chemist and physicist who lived and worked in Dublin during the 1800s. He was known internationally for his work on hygrometry and the Apjohn dewpoint. A mineral from Algoa Bay, South Africa, which proved to be an effloresced manganese alum was analysed and described by Apjohn to great acclaim. Subsequently it was named 'Apjohnite' in his honour. James Apjohn (1796-1886) Apjohn was born on 1st September 1796 at his father's property, Sunville, in Pallasgrean, Co. Limerick. He attended the Tipperary Grammar School for four years before entering Trinity College Dublin in 1814 under the tutorship of Rev. Dr. Wall. Apjohn graduated with a B.A in 1817 and took his degree of M.B in 1821. His debút as a lecturer on science took place in the Cork Institution in 1824. He continued lecturing throughout his career and was popular for his lucid style and well devised experiments. In some cases his lectures were so well at...