Historic 16th-century bird books and images on view at Dr Steevens’ Hospital and online

The Edward Worth Library, housed in the HSE’s Dr Steevens’ Hospital in Dublin 8, has launched its newest annual online exhibition: Birds at the Edward Worth Library.

This collection of ornithology books and images of birds dates back to the 16th century and forms part of the library of Dr Edward Worth (1676–1733), an early eighteenth-century Dublin physician, who was fascinated by medicine, science, and books as material objects and this ‘Birds’ exhibition brings together all three of these interests.

Special guest Éanna Ní Lamhna, well-known biologist, environmental and wildlife consultant officially launched the exhibition in collaboration with the HSE, Derek O’Reilly, a member of BirdWatch Ireland, Dr Paolo Viscardi, Keeper of the Natural History Museum and the artist Dominique Crowley, who’s Monstrorum collection was exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) in 2024.

The collection of work

The works include:

• Francis Willughby’s Ornithologiæ libri tres (London, 1676), which revolutionised the classification of birds and considered to be one of the most important books on birds of all time
• L'histoire de la nature des oyseaux, avec leurs descriptions (Paris, 1555) by the French naturalist, Pierre Belon (1517–1564)
• the encyclopaedic Historiae animalium (Frankfurt, 1617–1620) of the Swiss naturalist Conrad Gessner (1516–1565)
• 13-volumes of all aspects of natural history which were produced by the Italian naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi (1522–1605), three of which focused on birds

According to Dr Elizabethanne Boran, Librarian at the Edward Worth Library, “This exhibition explores exotic birds such as birds of paradise, extinct birds such as the dodo, and birds we are more familiar with such as pigeons, swans, owls, and parrots, to name but some of the birds which flutter through the pages of the Worth Library. We also have many volumes on natural history about birds from Europe, Asia and the New World, the latter a huge source of interest in the early modern period.  

“We are thrilled to be custodians of this historically important collection.  The online exhibition is the Worth Library Trust’s way of sharing the works with as many people as possible. A smaller display case exhibition will be on view in the Edward Worth Library itself and the public are welcome to view a selection of pieces free of charge by making an appointment to visit the library see edwardworthlibrary.ie.”

Derek O’Reilly, member of BirdWatch Ireland, said, “I was delighted to be asked to help with this initiative, and was astonished to discover that the Edward Worth collection includes internationally important, beautifully illustrated editions of some of the world's earliest publications on ornithology. Our understanding of birds has come a long way, not least our understanding of the critical challenges of climate change, habitat loss and pollution. This exhibition reminds us of the need to ensure that the wonderful world of birds is preserved and protected into the future.

Birds at the Edward Worth Library is the 19th in a series of large online exhibitions, all of which are available on the website: https://edwardworthlibrary.ie/exhibitions-at-the-worth/

About the Edward Worth Library at Dr Steevens’ Hospital

The Library, located in one of Ireland’s most distinguished eighteenth-century medical establishments, features the original book-shelves, cases, glass-panes and other fittings as they were in the 1730s. The library collection is made up of some 4,400 volumes, the earliest dating from 1475. Most are sumptuously bound in decorated leather or are preserved in original bindings covered with vellum. Approximately one third of the collection is made up of medical and related scientific works, with classics, history, literature, philosophy, reference, travel and natural life accounting for much of the remainder.

The book-collection, assembled by Edward Worth (1676-1733), a notable Dublin physician, is one of the treasures of the city’s cultural inheritance. He was a physician whose taste in books radiated outwards from his professional concern with medicine. He collected as a man of science, a gentleman, and a connoisseur. Worth was particularly interested in the book as object: the collection not only holds fine examples of sixteenth-century typography but is also considered to be the best collection of early modern book bindings in Ireland.

Following Worth’s death in February 1733, his fellow Trustees of Dr Steevens’ Hospital moved promptly to protect the books bequeathed to them under his will. A room was specially designed and built to accommodate them on the first floor of an as-yet unfinished building. 

Dr Steevens’ Hospital was opened in 1733 and was once one of Ireland’s most distinguished medical establishments. It is named after Dr Richard Steevens, an eminent 18th century physician who left money in his will to establish a hospital. It no longer functions as hospital and is used as offices by the Health Service Executive (HSE).