Dr Steevens' Hospital in Dublin was one of Ireland's most distinguished eighteenth-century medical establishments. It was founded under the terms of the will of Dr Richard Steevens, an eminent physician in Dublin, and designed by Thomas Burgh.HistoryGriselda Steevens was left an income by her brother Dr Richard Steevens. This was from an estate in Westmeath and King's County (now County Offaly) which gave her £600 per annum for her life. It was to be used after her death to found a hospital. She, however, decided to use the money during her life, and founded, in 1720, the hospital near Kilmainham, which bears her brother's name. One condition that she attached to her donation was that she should be allowed to live there, which she did for the rest of her life. She was often to be seen walking the grounds closely veiled, which led to speculation among the local populace. The hospital was for long known as "Madame Steevens' Hospital".In 1732, Edward Worth, one of the most eminent Dublin physicians of his day, died and bequeathed to Steevens' Hospital £1,000 and his library, then valued at £5,000, together with £100 for fitting it up. The hospital built a specially designed room to house the Edward Worth Library, where it remains to this day under updated protective conditions.In 1803, in the run-up to Robert Emmet's rebellion, the victims of a powerful explosion at his ammunition depot in Patrick St. were brought to the hospital. They were M'Intosh, the Keenans, Arthur Develin, George M'Donald and a few others, who were blown up at the time of the explosion, some of whom expired in the hospital afterwards.