Bertram Windle was a doctor, a scientist,
an archaeologist, an anthropologist, a writer on English literature and
evolution, and President of Queen’s/University College Cork. During his time in
Ireland between 1904 and 1919, he had a major impact on the development of
higher education and the development of the National University of
Ireland.
Windle was a privileged participant in
Irish public affairs with friends in the British Government, Dublin Castle, the
Irish Parliamentary Party, the Gaelic League and the Catholic Church. The son
of a Church of Ireland rector, he studied medicine at Trinity College Dublin. A
convert to Catholicism in the early 1880s, he became a Professor of Anatomy in Birmingham,
helping to found Birmingham University.
He took up his post as President of Queen’s College Cork in 1904,
transforming the university during the following decade and a half into a
modern institution with an enhanced curriculum, more staff, a growing student
body and new buildings and facilities. He was responsible for the building of
the Honan Hostel and Honan chapel.
Students of Irish history, politics,
culture, society and education will find the work of interest together with
those who wish to see Windle in his role as a scientist and commentator on
evolution and on religious matters. Windle, given his background and formation,
provides a unique view of Irish politics, history and education. The work is all the more important
because of the richness primary sources on which it is based.
Dermot Keogh is Professor of History at
University College Cork, Jean Monnet Emeritus Professor, a member of the Royal
Irish Academy and is the author of Jack Lynch- a Biography (2008). Ann Keogh,
who co-authored this book, is a specialist in the history of religious art and
architecture in twentieth century Ireland.
Bertram Windle: the Honan Bequest and the
Modernisation of University College Cork, 1904-1919 is published by Cork
University Press.
Further information about the book is
available on http://www.corkuniversitypress.com
Pictured at the launch of Bertram Windle: the Honan Bequest and the Modernisation of University College Cork, 1904-1919 were L-R: Ann Keogh, Madoline O'Connell (granddaughter of Sir Bertram Windle) and Professor Dermot Keogh.
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