THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY IS IRELAND'S LEADING BODY OF EXPERTS IN THE SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

The Royal Irish Academy/Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann champions research. We identify and recognise Ireland’s world class researchers. We support scholarship and promote awareness of how science and the humanities enrich our lives and benefit society. We believe that good research needs to be promoted, sustained and communicated. The Academy is run by a Council of its members. Membership is by election and considered the highest academic honour in Ireland.

Read more about the RIA

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Latest News Articles

Upcoming Events

Filter News

Favourite DIB lives: John Ferrar, historian, printer and public man

Friday, 8 May 2020

Selected by Jennifer Moore of the Irish Historic Towns Atlas, John Ferrar made a significant contribution to printing in Ireland, as well as the writing of local histories. His biography is part of our Favourite DIB...

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Favourite DIB lives: John Scottus Eriugena, medieval scholar

Wednesday, 6 May 2020

Selected by Dr Joseph Flahive of the Dictionary of Medieval Latin from Celtic Sources, John Scottus Eriugena was a prolific medieval scholar of Latin and Greek, 'rediscovered' in the nineteenth century. His biography is...

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Favourite DIB lives: Ernest Shackleton, explorer

Tuesday, 5 May 2020

Selected by Dr Juliana Adelman of DCU, and introduced by Kevin Kenny (Shackleton Autumn School) and Professor Jim McAdam (Shackleton Scholarship Committee), Ernest Shackleton had a gift for coping with crisis and...

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Favourite DIB lives: James Deeny, medical doctor and public health official

Friday, 1 May 2020

Selected by the DIB's Turlough O'Riordan, doctor James Deeny was a leading public health figure in Ireland, and internationally, with the World Health Organisation. Widely respected for his scientifically rigorous...

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Favourite DIB lives: Henry MacCormac, physician

Wednesday, 29 April 2020

Selected by the DIB’s Terry Clavin, Henry MacCormac’s work in mitigating the worst effects of the 1832 Asian cholera epidemic provides inspiration for our times. His entry is part of our #LockdownReading series.

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Favourite DIB lives: Sir Charles Alexander Cameron, medical officer

Monday, 27 April 2020

Selected by Dr Frank Cullen (Irish Historic Towns Atlas), Sir Charles Cameron was a Victorian polymath who served as Chief Medical Officer for Dublin and instituted significant advances in health and sanitation for the...

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Favourite DIB lives: ‘Typhoid Mary' Mallon

Friday, 24 April 2020

Selected and written by DIB alumnus Lawrence William White, Mary Mallon was an early-twentieth century ‘super spreader’ of typhoid as cook to New York’s elite. Her biography is part of our ‘Favourite DIB lives’ series.

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Favourite DIB Lives: Róisín Walsh, Dublin City chief librarian

Wednesday, 22 April 2020

Selected by Dr Kate O'Malley, managing editor of the DIB, Róisín Walsh (1889–1949) was Dublin's first chief librarian, as well as a feminist and republican. This biography is part of our 'Favourite DIB lives' series...

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Favourite DIB lives: Dorothy Stopford-Price, dochtúir

Monday, 20 April 2020

Selected by Dr Déirdre D’Auria, Eagarthóir Cúnta, Foclóir Stairiúil na Gaeilge, paediatrician Dorothy Stopford-Price conducted groundbreaking research into the treatment of TB in children. Her entry is presented here as...

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Favourite DIB lives: R. M. Barrington, ornithologist

Tuesday, 14 April 2020

Selected by Dr Eoin Kinsella (Documents on Irish Foreign Policy), R. M. Barrington (1849–1915) teamed up with lighthouse keepers around the country to develop Irish ornithology's seminal work on bird migration. This...

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Pages