The History of Physics in Trinity College Dublin

The history of physics at Trinity College Dublin spans over three centuries and reflects the development of physics as a scientific discipline in Ireland. From its beginnings in the late 17th century to its emergence as a modern research-driven department, the School of Physics at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has been shaped by scientific advances, institutional reforms, and wider social and political changes.
The department has been associated with several prominent figures in the history of science, including William Molyneux, William Rowan Hamilton, George Francis Fitzgerald, and Ernest Walton.
Early foundations (1592-1683)
Although Trinity College Dublin was founded in 1592, physics as a formal subject was not taught until the late 17th century. The early curriculum was dominated by Aristotelian philosophy, but the Reformation and the rise of empirical science gradually altered the intellectual climate.
William Molyneux (1656-1698), a TCD graduate, founded the Dublin Philosophical Society in 1683 and wrote Dioptrica Nova (1692), the first English-language book on optics. He is also remembered for formulating the philosophical "" concerning perception.
Another early figure was Narcissus Marsh, Provost from 1679 to 1683, who contributed to acoustics and coined the term "microphone". He later founded Marsh's Library in 1707.
The 18th century also saw the creation of the first scientific laboratory at TCD (1711) and the founding of Dunsink Observatory in 1785 through a bequest from Provost Francis Andrews.
The 19th century
The 19th century is often described as a period of significant scientific advancement at Trinity College Dublin. Under Provost Bartholomew Lloyd, the curriculum was reformed and honours degrees ("moderatorships") were introduced. His son, Humphrey Lloyd, succeeded him as Erasmus Smith's Professor and experimentally confirmed William Rowan Hamilton's prediction of conical refraction. He also oversaw the building of a magnetic observatory in 1837.
In 1881, George Francis Fitzgerald was appointed Erasmus Smith's Professor. He contributed to electromagnetic theory, proposing the length-contraction hypothesis later incorporated into special relativity by Albert Einstein. Fitzgerald was also a strong advocate of educational reform and gender equality.
The department expanded its facilities during this period, adding a Van de Graaff accelerator and a new laboratory wing funded by Sir Hugh Beaver. Research areas included nuclear physics, radiocarbon dating, and spectroscopy.
Theoretical physics became a separate moderatorship in 1966, reflecting the growth of the field.
Expansion and modernisation (1974-1984)
Brian Henderson took up the Erasmus Smith's Professorship in 1974. Under his leadership, staff numbers and research activity increased, and the Fitzgerald Medal and Walton Prize were introduced to recognise outstanding students.
Henderson was succeeded by Denis Weaire in 1984, noted for his work in computational physics, soft condensed matter, and the history of science. This period marked the beginning of greater interdisciplinary research and international collaboration.
Today
The School of Physics offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes in physics and related disciplines, including areas such as quantum physics, astrophysics, condensed matter physics, and nanotechnology. The School of Physics also hosts several research institutes and centres, such as the Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN).
Notable staff
<table class="wikitable sortable">
<tr>
<th>Name</th>
<th>Duration</th>
<th>Position</th>
<th> </th>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan"4" style"background:#eee;">19th Century</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>John Hewitt Jellett Poole</td>
<td>1847-1888</td>
<td>Professor of Geophysics</td>
<th> </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>George Francis FitzGerald FRS</td>
<td>1881-1901</td>
<td>Erasmus Smith's Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>William E. Thrift</td>
<td>1897-1929</td>
<td>Erasmus Smith's Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Frederick T. Touton FRS</td>
<td>1897-1902</td>
<td>Lecturer in Experimental Physics</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan"4" style"background:#eee;">20th Century (pre-1950)</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Harry Thrift</td>
<td>1909-1939</td>
<td>Lecturer in Experimental Physics</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Robert William Ditchburn FRS</td>
<td>1929-1946</td>
<td>Erasmus Smith's Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ernest Thomas Sinton Walton</td>
<td>1935-1974</td>
<td>Erasmus Smith's Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan"4" style"background:#eee;">20th Century (post-1950)</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Vincent Joseph McBrierty</td>
<td>1967-2006</td>
<td>Professor of Polymer Physics </td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Michael David Coey FRS</td>
<td>1978-Present</td>
<td>Erasmus Smith's Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy, Professor of Experimental Physics</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Daniel Joseph Bradley FRS</td>
<td>1980-1985</td>
<td>Professor of Optical Electronics</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Denis Lawrence Weaire FRS</td>
<td>1984-2007</td>
<td>Erasmus Smith's Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Hegarty</td>
<td>1986-2007</td>
<td>Professor of Laser Physics</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan"4" style"background:#eee;">21st Century</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Jonathan Nesbit Coleman FRS</td>
<td>2001-Present</td>
<td>Professor of Chemical Physics; Erasmus Smith's Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Peter David Nellist FRS</td>
<td>2004-2022</td>
<td>Lecturer in Physics</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Peter Gallagher</td>
<td>2006-2018</td>
<td>Science Foundation Ireland Stokes Lecturer in Physics, Senior Lecturer in Physics</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stefano Sanvito</td>
<td>2006-Present</td>
<td>Professor of Condensed Matter Theory</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Valeria Nicolosi</td>
<td>2012-2019</td>
<td>Professor of Nanomaterials and Advanced Microscopy </td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Bernard Pethica FRS</td>
<td>2012-2018</td>
<td>Research Professor</td>
<th></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ortwin Hess</td>
<td>2020-Present</td>
<td>Professor of Quantum Nanophotonics </td>
<th></th>
</tr>
</table>

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