Description

William IV. 1830-1837. Gold Medal n. d. (awarded 1922), 31.16 g. Trinity College, Dublin, School Prize Medal. By W. Woodhouse. Elizabeth, bust three-quarters. COLL . SS . ET . INDIVID . TRIN . REC . ELIZABETHÆ . JVXTA . DVBL . 1591. Rv. College coat of arms. Engraving: LITERIS RECENTIORIBUS FELICITER EXCULTIS. GEORGINA N. M. FFRENCH (sic!) . 1922. Plain edge. 39.7 mm. Eimer 1453A. BHM -. Polierte Platte / Choice Proof.

Purchased from Schweizerischer Bankverein, Basel, February 1984.

Trinity College Dublin, officially titled The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, is the sole constituent college of the University of Dublin, Ireland. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I of England, who issued a royal charter on the advice of the former Archbishop of Armagh and Lord Chancellor of Ireland, Adam Loftus, it was modelled after the collegiate universities of both Oxford and Cambridge, with whom it shares a unique relationship. It is one of the "seven ancient universities" of Great Britain and Ireland, and has significantly influenced Irish literature, law, medicine and science.

This medal was awarded to Georgina N. M. Ffrench, born 1839, died 1941. Georgina spent a large part of her formative years in Germany and England working as a ‘Companion-Help’. During her time in Germany she developed a keen interest in music and in England she became an accomplished wood carver, some of her woodworking was on display in Bushy Park. Georgina was a fervent nationalist, in a traditionally conservative household, who instilled a deep love of Ireland in her two daughters, Noelle and Rosamunde Ffrench. Noelle went to Trinity College in Dublin and graduated in 1922 with double-first class honours in Classics & Modern Languages. A gifted scholar, she won many term prizes and distinctions at Trinity, including the title of Non-Foundation Scholar in 1922.