Edward Worth (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Worth
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| Born | c. 1678 |
| Died | March 2, 1733 |
| Resting place | St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin |
| Known for | Physician and bibliophile |
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Edward Worth was an important Irish person who lived a long time ago. Born around 1678, he became a physician (a doctor), a politician, and a huge fan of collecting books. He was also a member of a very special group called the Royal Society. He passed away on March 2, 1733, in Dublin.
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Who Was Edward Worth?
Edward Worth was born into a well-off family in Ireland. His father, John Worth, was a important church leader in Dublin. Edward's grandfather, also named Edward Worth, was a Bishop (a high-ranking church official).
Edward was one of about ten children, but sadly, many of his brothers and sisters did not live to be adults. Only he and his brother Michael grew up.
Becoming a Doctor
Edward Worth decided to study medicine. He went to famous universities in Oxford, England, and then in Leiden and Utrecht in the Netherlands. He earned his medical degree in 1701. After finishing his studies, he started working as a doctor in Dublin.
He received some money from his uncle, William Worth, who was a respected judge. This money helped Edward to start his amazing collection of books. He bought books from places like London, the Netherlands, and France. He also inherited books from his father and grandfather.
Worth's Amazing Library
When Edward Worth passed away, his collection had grown to about 4,400 books! Many of these books were about medicine, and some were very old, dating back to the 1400s.
Edward Worth loved his books so much that he made sure they would be taken care of after he was gone. He left his entire library to Dr Steevens' Hospital in Kilmainham, Dublin. He was a governor (like a board member) of this hospital. The library was valued at about £5,000 at the time, which was a huge amount of money back then!
The hospital built a special room just for his books. These books are still kept there today. People who have seen them say they are in remarkably good condition, even though they are hundreds of years old. It's like stepping back in time!
An Important Person in Dublin
Edward Worth was a well-known and important person in Dublin during his time. He was friends with famous people, including Jonathan Swift, who wrote Gulliver's Travels.
His library is special not just because it's so big, but also because of how well the books have been preserved. Many of them look almost new, even after centuries!
From 1715 to 1727, Edward Worth was a member of the Irish House of Commons. This was like being a member of parliament, where he helped make laws for Ireland. He represented the area of New Ross.
What Was the Royal Society?
In January 1699, Edward Worth was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected group of scientists and thinkers in London. Being a Fellow means you are recognized for your important contributions to science and knowledge.
His Final Resting Place
Edward Worth is buried in his family's tomb at St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.
