History...

Jonathan Swift, Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral and noted satirist died in 1745, leaving his entire estate, derived from royalties of his writings including his great satirical work, Gulliver's Travels, for the founding of a hospital for the psychiatrically ill, the first in Ireland. The hospital was granted a Royal Charter by George II on August 8th 1746.

Mental Health History Timeline

For more information see "Swift's Hospital - A History of St. Patrick's Hospital, Dublin, 1746-1989" by Elizabeth Malcolm ISBN-0-7171-1501-1.