author

William Stephens

d. 1760

An Irish physician and botanist of the early eighteenth century, he is remembered for helping shape medical and botanical study in Dublin. His career linked hospital practice, university teaching, and the care of Trinity College’s physic garden.

1 Audiobook

Dolæus upon the cure of the gout by milk-diet To which is prefixed, an essay upon diet

Dolæus upon the cure of the gout by milk-diet To which is prefixed, an essay upon diet

by Johann Doläus, William Stephens

About the author

Born in 1696, he was educated in Dublin, studied natural philosophy at the University of Glasgow in 1715, and then went to Leiden to study medicine. He earned his MD there in 1718, later became a Fellow of the Royal Society, and built a career in both medicine and botany.

At Trinity College Dublin, he served as the second lecturer in botany. Sources credit him with drawing up a catalogue of more than 500 plants in the college physic garden in 1726, showing the practical, organized side of his work as well as his scientific interests.

He also played an important part in Dublin medical life. He became the first physician at Dr Steevens' Hospital and remained associated with the institution until his death in 1760. Some sources give his death year as 1761, so the historical record is not completely consistent on that point.