Clement Archer

Clement Archer (21 December 1748 - 1803)

Clement Archer was born in the Co. of Wexford on the 21st December, 1748. He was educated as a surgeon, and on the 4th February, 1772, was examined by the County Infirmaries' Board, and " passed " for the Longford Infirmary.

He settled in Dublin in 1774, and was an original member of the Surgeons' Society. In 1785 he, together with Surgeons Bolger, Lindsay, Costelloe, Hartigan, and Graydon, and Drs. Brereton, Percival, Dickson, Kennedy, Bell, and Boyton, founded the Dublin General Dispensary in the old Post Office yard, Temple-bar, the treasurer being Sir William Newcomen.

In 1797 Archer became Assistant-Surgeon to Steevens' Hospital. He succeeded Whiteway as Surgeon of the Foundlings' Hospital. He was perhaps the first medical man in Ireland who practised medical electricity, and it would appear had a good knowledge of chemistry and physics. He was a member of the Dublin Medico-Philospohic Society. In 1789 Archer was elected the first Professor of Pharmacy in RCSI. In 1791 he was appointed State Surgeon.

Clement Archer was the President of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in 1795.