Richard Helsham

Helsham, Richard, M.D., an eminent Dublin physician, Professor of Physic and of Natural Philosophy in the University of Dublin in the first half of the 18th century. He became a Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, in 1704, a Senior Fellow in 1714; he resigned in 1730, and was appointed Regius Professor of Physic in 1733. His course of Lectures on Natural Philosophy were much esteemed, and have been more than once reprinted. He was Swift's intimate friend and medical adviser. In a letter of 12th July 1735 Swift writes of him as "the most eminent physician of this city and kingdom." He died 1st August 1738.

Sources

37. Biographical Dictionary: Alexander Chalmers. 32 vols. London, 1812-'17.

321. Swift, Jonathan, Works, with Notes, and Life: Sir Walter Scott. 19 vols. Edinburgh, 1824.