19 Facts About Edward Gwynn

Edward John Gwynn was an Irish academic who served as the 36th Provost of Trinity College Dublin from 1927 to 1937.

Edward Gwynn was President of the Royal Irish Academy from 1934 to 1937.

Professor Gwynn was a scholar of Old Irish and Celtic literature.

Edward Gwynn's father was the Rector of Tullyaughnish.

In 1885, after completing his secondary education, Edward Gwynn attended Trinity College Dublin.

Edward Gwynn's father was then Lecturer in Divinity at the college.

Edward Gwynn graduated with distinction, winning the large gold medal for classics as well as a gold medal for ethics and logic.

From Latin and Greek, Edward Gwynn then turned his attention to Early Irish.

Edward Gwynn's father had worked for years on the Book of Armagh, an Irish text written in Latin; Edward made ancient texts in Irish his special field.

However, Edward Gwynn was able to commence his research under the aegis of the Royal Irish Academy, of which he was elected a member in 1896.

Edward Gwynn served as President of the Academy for the period 1934 to 1937.

Edward Gwynn translated and annotated texts concerning monastic life in Tallaght, and masterminded the production of a detailed catalogue of the Irish manuscripts in the Academy's collection.

In 1903, Edward Gwynn helped to found the School of Irish Learning in Dublin.

Edward Gwynn joined its board of governors and played an active part in its programme of lectures and seminars, which were open to the public.

In 1907, the post of Lecturer in Celtic Languages was created at Trinity, and Edward Gwynn became its first incumbent.

Edward Gwynn gathered various honours in recognition of his services to Irish scholarship.

Edward Gwynn carried out his duties with characteristic energy and ability until halted by ill health.

Edward Gwynn had suffered some years from tuberculosis and between 1913 and 1917, he had spent two periods at a sanatorium in Switzerland, which had afforded a partial recovery.

Edward Gwynn married Olive Mary Ponsonby, daughter of Colonel Justinian Gordon Ponsonby, in 1906.