No. VIII. 



BIOGEAPHICAL ACCOUNT 



THE LATE RICHARD KIRWAN, ESQ., 



PKESIDENT OF THE UOYAL IKISU ACADEMY, &C. 



MICHAEL DONOVAN, ESQ., M.R.I. A. 



(see page 480.) 



Having long felt, with regret, that there exists no circumstantial 

 and authentic biography of the celebrated philosopher whom this 

 Academy once owned as its President, and whose well-earned re- 

 putation extended to all parts of the civilized world, I determined, 

 should opportunity ever offer, to collect materials, and contribute 

 my humble meed towards the accomplishment of so desirable an 

 object. Through my good fortune, the descendants of Mr. Kir- 

 wan lately placed in my hands the family records of his life, at 

 the same time expressing a wish that I would give them publicity 

 in the proper form ; I am, therefore, now in a condition to lay be- 

 fore the Academy a sketch of one who contributed so much to its 

 scientific reputation, by his writings and researches. The Royal 

 Irish Academy is the fit depository for the history of a life, of 

 which the most valuable period was devoted to the advancement of 

 its objects. 



Richard Kirwan, whose life and writings constitute the subjects 

 of the following sketch, affords one of those rare instances in which 

 the possession of an ample fortune, and the desire of devoting it to 

 the interests of science, coincide in the same person. Wealth, which 



