Francis Barker (1773–1859) was an Irish physician known for his work in tracking fever epidemics.
Francis Barker | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1773 |
| Died | 8 October 1859 (aged 86) Wellington Road, Dublin |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Alma mater | Edinburgh University |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | medicine |
Life
editBorn in Waterford, Barker was one of six children of William Barker (1731–88) and Elizabeth Barker (née Acheson).[1] Barker was educated in Edinburgh during which time he got to know Sir Walter Scott.[1] He graduating as an MD in 1795, with his thesis studying the work of Galvani that suggested the presence of nervous fluid with dynamical electricity.[2]
Barker established what is believed to be the first fever hospital in Ireland in 1810.[2] He was Professor of Chemistry at Trinity College, Dublin (1808–50), and Secretary to the Irish Board of Health (1820–32).[1]
Barker married Emma (née Conolly), the daughter of the vicar of Donard, County Wicklow in 1804.[1] They had four daughters and a son William (1810–73), who went on to be a professor of chemistry (1850–73) at the Royal College of Science for Ireland.[1]
Works
editBarker edited the Dublin Pharmacopeia from 1826[2] and in collaboration with John Cheyne wrote An account of the rise, progress and decline of the fever lately epidemical in Ireland (2 vols., 1821).[3][4] Barker's work with Cheyne highlighted the link between poverty and low hygiene standards in the spread of typhus in 1816–19.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Quinn, James. "Barker, Francis". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ a b c Library Ireland. "Francis Barker". Library Ireland. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
- ^ A Dictionary of Irish History, D. J. Hickey & J. E. Doherty, Gill and Macmillan, Dublin, 1980. Pp. page 24. ISBN 0-7171-1567-4
- ^ Geary, Laurence M. "Barker, Francis". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/1394. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
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