John Barrett 1753-1821
Print Page
- Henry Boylan, "A Dictionary of Irish Biography"
Professor and eccentric, Jonh Barrett was born at Ballyroan, Co Laois, son of a clergyman. Educated at Trinity College Dublin. Took Fellowship and became Professor of Oriental Languages. Vice-Provost in 1807.
A noted eccentric, he scarcely ever left the college in the last fifty years of his life. Living in a garrett in the Library square, he allowed himself no fire, even in the coldest weather, and devoted himself to his two passions, reading and the hoarding of money. He was short, with a huge head and small feet, and so mean and ragged in his appearance that the college servants objected to his presence.
He was a man of great acquirements and tenacious memory, yet extraordinarily ignorant of the things of common life. He spoke Latin and Greek fluently, but had great difficulty in expressing himself in English.
He died in 1821, leaving £80,000.
His will stated, 'I leave everything I am possessed of to feed the hungry
and clothe the naked'.
Back to List
Site Hosted by Dotser
A-Z of Laois - About Laois - Community History - Famous People - Photographs - Maps - 19th Century Laois