Ernest Alton | |
|---|---|
| 38th Provost of Trinity College Dublin | |
| In office 1 August 1942 – 1 August 1952 | |
| Preceded by | William Thrift |
| Succeeded by | Albert Joseph McConnell |
| Senator | |
| In office 27 April 1938 – 8 September 1943 | |
| Constituency | Dublin University |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office May 1921 – July 1937 | |
| Constituency | Dublin University |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1873-09-21)21 September 1873 Mullingar,County Westmeath, Ireland |
| Died | 18 February 1952(1952-02-18) (aged 78) Dublin, Ireland |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Bryan Alton (nephew) |
| Education | The High School, Dublin |
| Alma mater | Trinity College Dublin |
Ernest Henry Alton (21 September 1873 – 18 February 1952)[1] was an Irish academic and politician who served as the 38thProvost of Trinity College Dublin from 1942 to 1952. He also served as aTeachta Dála (TD) from 1921 to 1937 and aSenator from 1938 to 1943, representing theDublin University constituency respectively in each house.[2]
Born nearMullingar,County Westmeath, in 1873. Alton attendedThe High School inDublin. He graduated fromTrinity College Dublin in 1896 with honours in classics and philosophy, having beenelected a Scholar of the college in 1894. He won the Berkeley medal (in Greek) and the Wray prize (in philosophy) and was awarded a studentship (postgraduate scholarship) on his final results.[1] He was a member of Trinity College's Officer Training Corps and saw action during the 1916Easter Rising. For helping to defend the college from theIrish Volunteers who occupied the nearbyWestland Row station, he was awarded theMilitary Cross.[1] He was elected to theRoyal Irish Academy in 1912, and served as its vice-president from 1942 to 1944, and from 1946 to 1947.[1]
He was elected to theHouse of Commons of Southern Ireland at the1921 elections, representing theDublin University constituency as anIndependent Unionist, he did not participate in theSecond Dáil.[2] He was re-elected for the same constituency at the1922 general election and became a member of theThird Dáil. He was re-elected at the next five general elections until the Dublin UniversityDáil Éireann constituency was abolished in 1937. He served as a member of the2nd Seanad and the3rd Seanad representing theSeanad Éireann Dublin University constituency until 1943 when he retired from politics.[3]
He was a professor ofLatin at Trinity College Dublin from 1921 to 1942 and wasProvost from 1942 until he died in 1952. During his time as provost, the college made the first successful application for state funding.[1] He married Ethel Hughes-Hunter in 1915, and they had 2 sons and a daughter.[1]
His nephewBryan Alton was a member of Seanad Éireann from 1965 to 1973.
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Provost of Trinity College Dublin 1942–1952 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
