Richard Dowden Papers Descriptive List

INTRODUCTION

IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference:

IE 627/U140

Title:

Richard Dowden Papers

Level of description:

fonds

Date:

(1806) c1815-c1860

Extent:

11 boxes, 1 large scrapbook, 21 oversized posters.

CONTEXT

Creator Dowden, Richard (b1794 – d1861).

Biographical/Administrative History Born in Bandon County Cork, in 1794. He used the name ‘Richard Dowden Richard’ often signed ‘Richard Dowden (Rd.)’, to distinguish himself from others of the same name. (He is referred throughout this list simply as ‘Richard Dowden’ ). Businessman, botanist, philanthropist and Mayor, Richard Dowden was, in his day, one of the most respected and prominent citizens of Cork. While still a young man he moved to Cork City with this family. Dowden was a close friend of the Jennings family, the leading soda water and magnesia manufacturers in the city. On the death of Mr. Jennings senior, Dowden was asked by his family to run the company which he did successfully for the best part of his life. He was also involved in vinegar manufacture. A Unitarian Presbyterian, Dowden was, for many years, the Honorary Treasurer and one of the Trustees of the Unitarian Presbyterian Church in Prince’s Street. His religious background seems to have strongly influenced his attitude to business, his curiosity for learning and his concern for his fellow citizens. A Liberal and pro-repealer, Dowden was an associ ate of Daniel O’Connell and “ laboured with him from the time of the movement for Catholic Emancipation and during the Repeal agitation to the close of the Liberator’s career”. He was a frequent speaker at the Cork People’s Hall on the subject of repeal. A member of Cork Corporation, Dowden was elected Mayor of Cork City for 1845 and Alderman for the Lee Ward in 1847. A strong advocate of temperance, Dowden was closely associated with the work of Father Theobald Matthew. He was particularly active in fun draising for the ‘Apostle of Temperance’ who was, due to his generosity, constantly in financial difficulty. Apart from his temperance work, Dowden’s other philanthropic activities included service as a Poor Law Guardian, an officer of the Blind Asylum and a

U140 Richard Dowden Papers Descriptive List