Will power Explore the rich history of legacy philanthropy at Trinity and learn how your bequest can shape its future T rinity was only three years founded when it benefitted from its first legacy in the will of James Cottrell in 1595 – he left a gift to fund a divinity lecturer. The most famous legacy in Trinity history is probably the legacy of the Widow Parsons which founded the School of Medicine in 1711. The generosity of Widow Parsons is celebrated in all histories of the School of Medicine and all histories of philanthropy in Ireland but she remains an enigmatic figure: we don’t even know her first name or why she gave so generously. She certainly initiated a tradition, exemplified by remarkable donations such as the Ellen Mayston Bates gift to launch a major epilepsy research programme in 2012; the gift from Trinity graduate, Dr Fodla Taylor of 10% of the residue of her estate to fund cancer research; the legacy from Don Panoz in 2020 to fund the Don Panoz Chair in Pharmaceutical Biology; and from Georgina Goodison just last year to support research into eye disease. Other Schools have also benefitted from outstandingly generous legacies, including the gift from the legendary RB McDowell, junior dean, to the School of History, and to Trinity Library and The Hist. Student clubs and societies are frequent recipients of legacies, with the Boat Club remembered by Cedric Sheppard in 2019. Some of Trinity’s most iconic buildings owe their start to legators: the Rubrics was gifted by Provost Browne in 1699 and the Dining Hall by Dr John Elwood in 1740. More recently John and Ann Boland’s 2014 legacy enabled the renovation of the historic organ in the Public Theatre. Entrusting Trinity A gift to Trinity is an important expression of the legator’s values and belief in education to make a difference. A legacy extends into the future, carrying the principles that are important to the donor. Some donors choose an area that fits with their passions and priorities, be that medicine, history or rowing; others make an unrestricted gift for the university to use where it is needed most. Legacy gifts from alumni also have the power to significantly transform the lives of students at Trinity, by providing crucial additional support to start and continue their educational journey. Trinity Access Programmes were established to enhance the prospects of potential and current students from less-advantaged areas. The Trinity Sanctuary Fund was initially set up in response to the huge challenges faced by students from Ukraine, and the Trinity Alumni Fund is a critical part of the support network that surrounds every student at Trinity.
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