Denis Coffey (physician) facts for kids
Denis J. Coffey was a very important person in Irish education. He was a Professor of Physiology, which is the study of how living things work. He also led the Medical School at University College Dublin (UCD) and was the president of UCD from 1910 to 1940.
Early Life and Learning
Denis Joseph Coffey was born in 1865 in a town called Tralee in County Kerry, Ireland. He went to school locally at the Christian Brothers in Holy Cross, Tralee. Later, he studied medicine at the Catholic University of Ireland School of Medicine in Dublin.
He earned his first degree, a BA, in 1886. Then, in 1888, he got his medical degree (MB BCh BAO) from the Royal University of Ireland. He was a very good student, so he won a special scholarship that allowed him to travel and study more. He learned about physiology in different cities like Madrid, Louvain, Marburg, and Leipzig.
A Leader in Education
After his studies abroad, Denis Coffey came back to Ireland. He started teaching at the Catholic University Medical School in 1893. By 1897, he became a full professor. In 1905, he became the Dean (a top leader) of the Catholic Medical School. Around this time, the school joined with University College Dublin, becoming its Faculty of Medicine.
Coffey was also interested in Irish independence. He supported "Home Rule," which meant Ireland would govern itself. He was a good friend of a famous Irish politician named John Dillon. He was also a member of the Gaelic League, an organization that promoted the Irish language and culture.
He received many honors for his work. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland. He also served as a pro-vice-chancellor for the National University of Ireland. The Pope even gave him a special award called the Knight Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of St. Sylvester for his great contributions to education. In 1936, he received an honorary degree from Queen's University Belfast.
President of UCD
Denis Coffey became the first president of UCD when it became a main college of the National University of Ireland. He took over from William Delany SJ. As president, he helped UCD grow a lot. He oversaw the development of the UCD campus at Earlsfort Terrace. He also managed the joining of the College of Science and the Agricultural Albert College with UCD. He even helped move the Medical School to the main UCD campus.
He retired from his role as president in 1940. In the same year, he received another honorary degree, a DSc, from the National University of Ireland. Denis J. Coffey passed away on April 3, 1945.
His son, Brian Coffey, later became a well-known poet and publisher.
