Famous Irish Intellectuals & Academics

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 1 
Edmund Burke
(Statesman)
Edmund Burke
4
Birthdate: January 12, 1729
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Died: July 9, 1797

Anglo-Irish statesman and philosopher, Edmund Burke, was a member of parliament (MP) in the House of Commons of Great Britain for several years. He supported  Catholic emancipation and strongly opposed the French Revolution. He felt revolution destroyed the fabric of good society and traditional institutions of state and society. He is considered the philosophical founder of modern conservatism. 

 2 
George Berkeley
(philosopher)
George Berkeley
4
Birthdate: March 12, 1685
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: County Kilkenny, Ireland
Died: January 14, 1753

George Berkeley was an Anglo-Irish philosopher who is credited with popularizing a theory called immaterialism, which claims that material substance like tables and chairs can't exist without being perceived by the mind. Berkeley influenced several philosophers like David Hume. Also remembered for his humanitarian work, George Berkeley worked towards creating homes for abandoned children in London.

 3 
Robert Boyle
(Founder of Modern Chemistry, Boyle's Law)
Robert Boyle
4
Birthdate: January 25, 1627
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Ireland
Died: December 30, 1691

Robert Boyle was an Anglo-Irish chemist, natural philosopher, inventor, and physicist. Regarded as the first modern chemist, Boyle is often counted among the founders of modern chemistry. One of the pioneers of the scientific method, Robert Boyle is also remembered for his books, including The Sceptical Chymist, which is viewed as a keystone book in chemistry.

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 4 
Iris Murdoch
(Irish & British Novelist Best Known for Her Novels: 'Under the Net', 'The Sea, the Sea' and 'The Bell')
Iris Murdoch
4
Birthdate: July 15, 1919
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: February 8, 1999

One of the most popular Irish-born British novelists, Iris Murdoch is remembered for her psychological novels, which had a good dose of sexuality, philosophy, morality, and comic elements. While she won the Booker Prize for The Sea, the Sea, the Oxford alumnus had also worked for the HM Treasury and the UN.

 5 
Emma Donoghue
(Novelist)
Emma Donoghue
5
Birthdate: October 24, 1969
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland

Alex Awards winning Irish-Canadian playwright, literary historian, short story writer, novelist, and screenwriter Emma Donoghue is best known for authoring award winning novels like Room and Hood. Room, an international best-seller, was adapted into a film bearing same title that not only emerged as a critical and commercial success but also garnered four Oscar nominations at the 88th Academy Awards.

 6 
Hans Sloane
(Physician, Naturalist and 13th President of the Royal Society (1727 - 1741))
Hans Sloane
3
Birthdate: April 16, 1660
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Killyleagh, Ireland
Died: January 11, 1753

British doctor Hans Sloane traveled to Jamaica as a personal physician of the 2nd duke of Albermarle and was soon engrossed in the natural species of the region. He documented his collections, and they eventually helped form the British Museum. He is also known as the inventor of drinking chocolate.

 7 
Cindy O Callaghan
(Irish-Born British Actor and Child Psychologist)
Cindy O Callaghan
3
Birthdate: October 18, 1956
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Republic of Ireland Ireland
 8 
Benedict Anderson
(Anglo-Irish Political Scientist and Historian)
Benedict Anderson
3
Birthdate: August 26, 1936
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kunming, China
Died: December 13, 2015
 9 
Francis Ysidro Edgeworth
(Anglo-Irish Philosopher and Political Economist)
Francis Ysidro Edgeworth
2
Birthdate: February 8, 1845
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Edgeworthstown, County Longford, Ireland
Died: February 13, 1926

Francis Ysidro Edgeworth was an Anglo-Irish economist and statistician, known for his significant contributions to the methods of statistics. An autodidact in mathematics and economics, he imaginatively applied mathematics to the fields of economics and statistics, writing several books, including Mathematical Psychics, presenting new ideas on various topics like on the generalized utility function, the indifference curve etc.  .

 10 
John Scotus Eriugena
(Irish Neoplatonist Theologian, Philosopher, and Poet)
John Scotus Eriugena
3
Birthdate: 0800 AD
Birthplace: Ireland
Died: 0877 AD

John Scotus Eriugena was an Irish Neoplatonist theologian, philosopher, and poet. He is best remembered for his work De Divisione Naturae, which is widely regarded as one of the most important works of ancient philosophy. John Scotus Eriugena also served as the head of Aachen's Palace School after having succeeded Alcuin of York.

 11 
John Dominic Crossan
(Irish-American New Testament Scholar, Historian of Early Christianity and Former Catholic Priest)
John Dominic Crossan
3
Birthdate: February 17, 1934
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland

Irish-American theologian John Dominic Crossan, who has previously been a Roman Catholic priest, was also associated with the Jesus Seminar. It is believed, he had quit Catholic priesthood to marry Margaret, his professor wife, and had then focused on teaching and writing. His written works include Who Killed Jesus?

 12 
Francis Hutcheson
(Scotch-Irish Philosopher and a Leading Figure of the Scottish Enlightenment)
Francis Hutcheson
3
Birthdate: August 8, 1694
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Saintfield, County Down, Ulster, Ireland
Died: August 8, 1746

Scotch-Irish philosopher Francis Hutcheson is remembered as a pioneering figure of the Scottish Enlightenment. An Irish Presbyterian preacher, he also taught moral philosophy at Glasgow University. He believed in internal senses, apart from the 5 external senses. His 2-volume System of Moral Philosophy, one of his best-known works, was released posthumously.

 13 
Jan Łukasiewicz
(Polish Philosopher and Logician)
Jan Łukasiewicz
2
Birthdate: December 21, 1878
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Lviv
Died: February 13, 1956

Jan Łukasiewicz was a Polish philosopher and logician. He is best remembered for Łukasiewicz logic and Polish notation. His work centred on mathematical logic, philosophical logic, and history of logic. Jan Łukasiewicz is often counted among the most prominent historians of logic.

 14 
J.B. Bury
(Irish Historian and Philologist Who Contributed to the Development of Byzantine History)
J.B. Bury
2
Birthdate: October 16, 1861
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Clontibret, Ireland
Died: June 1, 1927
 15 
William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse
(Irish Astronomer, Naturalist and Engineer)
William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse
2
Birthdate: June 17, 1800
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: York, United Kingdom
Died: October 31, 1867
 16 
Mary Ward
(Naturalist)
Mary Ward
3
Birthdate: April 27, 1827
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Ballylin, County Offaly, Ireland
Died: 1869 AD

English nun Mary Ward was one of the first to show how influential women could be in the Church. Her work led to the development of the Congregation of Jesus and Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Loreto Sisters. She traveled on foot all across Europe, establishing schools and was often criticized by traditionalists.

 17 
William Thompson
(Irish Philosopher and Social Reformer Who Believed in Utilitarianism)
William Thompson
2
Birthdate: June 30, 1775
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Cork, Ireland
Died: March 28, 1833
 18 
Eamon Duffy
(Irish Historian, Professor, and Presenter)
Eamon Duffy
2
Birthdate: February 9, 1947
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Dundalk, Ireland
 19 
Derek Warfield
(Irish Historian, Singer, and Songwriter)
Derek Warfield
2
Birthdate: September 15, 1943
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland

Derek Warfield is an Irish historian, singer, and songwriter. He is best known for his association with the popular Irish rebel music band The Wolfe Tones, where he performed as a singer-songwriter from 1964 to 2001. Derek Warfield wrote and recorded more than 60 songs for the band.

 20 
David McWilliams
(Irish Economist, Journalist, and Bestselling Author )
David McWilliams
0
Birthdate: 1966 AD
Birthplace: Dún Laoghaire, Ireland
 21 
William Edward Hartpole Lecky
(Irish Historian and Political Theorist Who Specialized in Georgian England)
William Edward Hartpole Lecky
2
Birthdate: March 26, 1838
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: October 22, 1903
 22 
J. W. Dunne
(Irish Soldier, Aeronautical Engineer, Author, and Philosopher)
J. W. Dunne
2
Birthdate: December 2, 1875
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Curragh Camp, Ireland
Died: August 24, 1949
 23 
Herbert McCabe
(Irish Dominican Theologian and Priest Who Believed in Analytic Philosophy)
Herbert McCabe
2
 24 
Richard Kearney
(Irish Philosopher, Academician, Author, and Presenter)
Richard Kearney
2
Birthdate: 1954 AD
Birthplace: Cork, Ireland
 25 
Robert Anderson
(Irish Intelligence Officer, Author, and Theologian)
Robert Anderson
0
Birthdate: May 29, 1841
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: November 15, 1918
 26 
George Salmon
(Irish Mathematician and Anglican Theologian)
George Salmon
1
Birthdate: September 25, 1819
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: January 22, 1904

George Salmon initially gained fame as a remarkable mathematician only to switch to theology in his later years. A linen merchant’s son, he graduated from Trinity College on a scholarship and then taught at Trinity and made developments in the study of algebraic geometry. He was later ordained a priest.

 27 
Cahal Daly
(Irish Philosopher, Theologian, and Author)
Cahal Daly
3
Birthdate: October 1, 1917
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Loughguile, County Antrim, Ireland
Died: December 31, 2009
 28 
Edmund Malone
(Scholar and editor)
Edmund Malone
1
Birthdate: October 4, 1741
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: May 25, 1812
 29 
Dicuil
(Irish Monk, Geographer and Poet)
Dicuil
1
Birthplace: Ireland
 30 
Catherine Corless
(Irish Historian)
Catherine Corless
1
Birthdate: 1954 AD
Birthplace: Tuam, County Galway, Ireland

Catherine Corless is an Irish historian best known for her investigation concerning the demise of many children at a maternity home called Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home. Her work earned her several prestigious awards, including a People of the Year Award for the year 2018.

 31 
George Tyrrell
(Anglo-Irish Catholic Priest, Scholar, and Modernist Theologian)
George Tyrrell
1
Birthdate: February 6, 1861
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: July 15, 1909

George Tyrrell was an Anglo-Irish Catholic priest, scholar, and modernist theologian. He tried to adapt Catholic theology to science and modern culture, which placed him in the midst of the modernist controversy that wreaked havoc within the Roman Catholic Church during the 19th century.

 32 
Mariga Guinness
(Irish Socialite, Architectural Conservationist and Co-Founder of the Irish Georgian Society)
Mariga Guinness
0
Birthdate: September 21, 1932
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: London, England
Died: May 8, 1989

Mariga Guinness was an Irish socialite and architectural conservationist. She is best remembered for co-founding the Irish Georgian Society, an architectural heritage and preservation organization. Mariga Guinness' life and career inspired a biopic titled Memory of Mariga.

 33 
William Francis Patrick Napier
(Soldier)
William Francis Patrick Napier
1
Birthdate: December 7, 1785
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Celbridge, Ireland
Died: February 12, 1860
 34 
Marianne Elliott
(Historian)
Marianne Elliott
1
Birthdate: May 25, 1948
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Northern Ireland
 35 
Standish James O'Grady
(Author)
Standish James O'Grady
1
Birthdate: September 18, 1846
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Castletown, County Cork, Ireland
Died: May 18, 1928
 36 
George Francis FitzGerald
(Physicist, University teacher)
George Francis FitzGerald
1
Birthdate: August 3, 1851
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Dublin
Died: February 22, 1901

Irish physicist and Trinity College professor George Francis FitzGerald made pioneering contributions to wireless telegraphy with his discovery of a way of producing radio waves. His Lorentz–FitzGerald contraction was later used by Albert Einstein in his special theory of relativity. He also made unsuccessful attempts to create a flying machine.

 37 
Alice Stopford Green
(Historian)
Alice Stopford Green
1
Birthdate: May 30, 1847
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Ceanannus Mór, Ireland
Died: May 28, 1929
 38 
Sabina Brennan
(Irish Former Actress)
Sabina Brennan
1
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
 39 
John Elliott Cairnes
(Economist)
John Elliott Cairnes
1
Birthdate: December 26, 1823
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Castle Bellingham, Ireland
Died: July 8, 1875
 40 
John Kells Ingram
(Irish Economist and Poet)
John Kells Ingram
1
Birthdate: July 7, 1823
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Pettigo, Ireland
Died: May 1, 1907

Irish economic historian John Kells Ingram didn’t just excel in math in his younger days but also showed considerable talent in literature and languages, teaching oratory and Greek at Trinity. He is remembered for his extensive work on the Poor Law and also for his contribution to inversive geometry.

 41 
Juan Galindo
(Political activist, military and administrative officer under the Liberal government of the Federal Republic of Central AmericaArchaeologist whose reports on his findings earned him recognition as an early pioneer of Maya archaeology)
Juan Galindo
0
Birthdate: 1802 AD
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: 1839 AD
 42 
George Croly
(Poet)
George Croly
0
Birthdate: August 17, 1780
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: November 24, 1860
 43 
Alexander Campbell
(Minister)
Alexander Campbell
2
Birthdate: September 12, 1788
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Broughshane, County Antrim, Ireland
Died: March 4, 1866

Alexander Campbell was a Scots-Irish immigrant who went on to become an ordained minister in America. He then joined forces with his father and led a reform effort, which came to be known as the Restoration Movement. Also referred to as the Stone-Campbell Movement, it helped develop non-denominational Christian churches. 

 44 
Arthur Keaveney
(Historian)
Arthur Keaveney
1
Birthdate: July 8, 1951
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Galway, Ireland
Died: June 23, 2020
 45 
Eugene O'Curry
(Antiquary)
Eugene O'Curry
1
Birthdate: November 20, 1794
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Doonaha, Ireland
Died: July 30, 1862
 46 
F. J. A. Hort
(Theologian)
F. J. A. Hort
0
Birthdate: April 23, 1828
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: November 30, 1892
 47 
Robert Gregg Bury
(Clergyman)
Robert Gregg Bury
0
Birthdate: March 22, 1869
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Clontibret, Ireland
Died: February 11, 1951
 48 
Justin McCarthy
(Historian)
Justin McCarthy
0
Birthdate: November 22, 1830
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Cork, Ireland
Died: April 24, 1912
 49 
Mountifort Longfield
(Irish Lawyer, Judge, Mathematician, and Academic)
Mountifort Longfield
0
Birthdate: 1802 AD
Birthplace: Cork, Ireland
Died: November 21, 1884

The first political economy professor at Trinity College, Mountifort Longfield later also taught law at the institute. A renowned property lawyer, he was named a Queen's Counsel and later became part of the Irish privy council. He also drafted various bills proposed by William Gladstone’s administration.