Archives of the Zoological Society of Ireland

Context

Creator(s): Royal Zoological Society of Ireland

• Administrative History ↴

  The Royal Zoological Society of Ireland (RZSI) was founded in Dublin on 10 May 1830 at a meeting in the Rotunda Hospital. Present were Philip Crampton (1777-1858), the surgeon-general and Whitley Stokes (1830-1909), a physician and lecturer in Natural History at TCD (1816-45), together with an influential body of supporters. The Duke of Leinster chaired the foundation meeting, the Earl of Longford proposed the first resolution, the Earl of Leitrim and the Earl of Howth sat on the foundation committee, along with eminent doctors, academics and scientists. Its main aim was to function as a learned society for the study of zoology, and to form a collection of living animals similar to that of the Zoological Society of London. Dublin Zoo opened in September 1831 in the Phoenix Park. The Society's first general meeting was held in November 1832. In 1838, the Zoo held an open day to mark the coronation of Queen Victoria and the Society was rewarded with the prefix 'Royal' in its name. In 1993 The Zoological Society of Ireland (ZSI) replaced the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland. It is the body responsible for running Dublin Zoo, where it is based, and Fota Wildlife Park in County Cork.

• Archival History ↴

  The collection up until 1953 was presented by the Council of the Society in 1993

• Immediate Source Acquisition ↴

  Donation