RCSI Heritage Collections

This day 96 years ago an armistice between the Allies and Germany took place at Compiégne, France which ended the hostilities and brutality of WW1. During the years of fighting millions of people were killed and wounded. In Dublin a small group of people took it upon themselves to open a hospital for wounded officers sent back from the war. This hospital was established on 1 December 1914 with the approval and guidance of the British Red Cross Society. The minute book of this forgotten hospital is housed in the RCSI Heritage Collections. Offer of premises for the hospital made by W. I. De Courcy Wheeler  Minute Book of the Hospital for Wounded Officers The hospital was given premises at 33 Upper Fitzwilliam Street by Sir William Ireland De Courcy Wheeler (1879-1943) who also volunteered his surgical services. The sub-committee was made up of notable wealthy and respected citizens of Dublin including Lady Talbot de Malahide, Lady Powerscourt and Francis T. Heuston F...

Among the antiquarian books in the RCSI Heritage Collections are those kept together in a special collection named for the surgeons to whom they once belonged. Their lives and their books are outlined here. 'Handbook of Operative Surgery' Sir William de Courcy Wheeler (1879-1943) William Ireland de Courcy Wheeler (1844–99) and Sir William Ireland de Courcy Wheeler (1879-1943), father and son, both became presidents of RCSI in 1884 and 1922 respectively. William Wheeler senior was surgeon to the Royal City of Dublin Hospital in Baggot Street; he published many articles and devised instruments for the treatment of hare-lip. Richard Butcher, his contemporary and colleague, send him so much work that the students called Wheeler ‘the butcher’s boy’. Sir William Ireland de Courcy Wheeler (the son) was surgeon to Mercer’s Hospital. His reputation as an operator and teacher was such that he was referred to as ‘the man who made Mercer’s’. He p...