George Sigerson – A man of many talents
Today sees the unveiling, by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, of a plaque on the residence of George Sigerson at 3 Clare Street, Dublin. But who was George Sigerson?
George Sigerson was born near Strabane in county Tyrone in 1835. He studied medicine at University College Cork, before travelling to Paris to continue studying under two leading neurologists Jean-Martin Charcot and Guillaume-Benjamin-Amand Duchenne. Returning to Ireland Sigerson set up in practice in Dublin, where he specialized in neurology, counting Maud Gonne and James Joyce's Nora Barnacle amongst his patients. As well as his private practice, Sigerson was professor of botany and later biology in the Catholic University Medical School in Dublin. He also wrote extensively on scientific subject. In 1918 the Royal College of Physicians celebrated Sigerson's outstanding contribution to his profession, and awarded him an Honorary Fellowship.
As well as his contributions to medicine, Sigerson contributed to the Irish literary revival, translating Irish verse into English for publication. He also wrote on many of the most pressing political, social and economic issues of his time. He was a friend of many of the leading literary and political figures of his day including Thomas MacDonagh, Douglas Hyde, Charles Kickham and John O'Leary. On the establishment of the Free State Sigerson was chosen as a member of the Senate and presided at its first meeting.
Sadly, the archive only holds one item relating to Sigerson; a death sketch, made by Estella Solomons on 18 February 1925. Estella Solomon (1882-1968) was a member of a prominent Dublin Jewish family, and sister of Dr Bethal Solomons who was President of the College. Estella was active in the same political and literary sphere as Sigerson.
A new biography of Sigerson by Ken McGilloway has been published this week by the Ulster Historical Foundation.