Dr Steevens' Hospital

Dr Steevens' Hospital (also called Dr Steevens's Hospital) in Dublin was one of Ireland's most distinguished eighteenth-century medical establishments. It was founded under the terms of the will of Dr Richard Steevens (1653-1710), an eminent physician in Dublin, and designed by Thomas Burgh. Miss Griselda Steevens was left by her brother Richard an estate in Westmeath and King's County (now County Offaly), yielding £600 per annum for her life. It was to be used after her death to found a hospital. She, however, decided to use the money during her life, and founded, in 1720, the hospital near Kilmainham, which bears her brother's name. One condition that she attached to her donation was that she should be allowed to live there, which she...