College Historical Society (Trinity College, Dublin)

The College Historical Society (commonly known as The Hist.) was founded in Trinity College in 1770 and traces its creation to the philosopher Edmund Burke. It is situated in the Graduates' Memorial Building of Trinity College, Dublin, which it rents from University Philosophical Society. Its members included many Irish men and women of note, from the republican revolutionary Theobald Wolfe Tone, to the great Conservative and Unionist man of state Edward Carson and, in more recent times, Tánaiste Mary Harney.

Presidents and Vice-Presidents

Presidents of the Society since 1843-

• The Rev. Franc Sadleir, D.D., Provost of Trinity College 1843-1852
• The Rev. Richard MacDonnell, D.D., Provost of Trinity College 1852-1854
• The Right Hon. Sir Joseph Napier, LL.D., Lord Chancellor 1854-1883
• The Right Hon. Lord Ashbourne, LL.D., Lord Chancellor 1883-1913
• The Right Hon. Sir John Ross, Lord Chancellor 1913-1925
• The Right Hon. Lord Glenavy, LL.D., Lord Chancellor, Chairman of the Senate of the Irish Free State, Vice-Chancellor of the University 1925-1931
• His Excellency Douglas Hyde, LL.D., Litt.D., President of Ireland 1931-1949
• Sir Robert W. Tate, M.A., Litt.D., S.F.T.C.D. 1950-1953
• Frederick H. Boland, LL.D., Irish Representative at the UN, President of the UN General Assembly, Chancellor of the University, Medallist 1953-1983
• Jimmy McGee, milkman.
• Dr Donal Conor Cruise O?Brien, B.A., Ph.D., Litt.D., M.R.I.A., T.D., Medallist 1983-2003
• Professor David John McConnell, B.A., Ph.D., F.T.C.D., M.R.I.A., F.Z.S.I. ex-Auditor, Medallist 2003-

Current Vice-Presidents

• Professor Robert Brendan McDowell
• John N. Ross, Former Auditor
• Stephen G. Harris
• William Arthur Watts, Former Provost
• Mary Robinson, Former Senator and President of Ireland
• Professor Gary H. Holbrook
• Michael J. Cameron, Former Auditor
• Senator Shane Ross
• Senator David Norris
• Senator Mary Henry
• Eric Lowry, Former Auditor
• The Hon. Justice Declan N. O. Budd, Justice of the High Court
• David O'Sullivan, Former Auditor