Born at Ballyroan, Co. Laois, in 1753, was Professor of Oriental Languages at Trinity College and vice-provost from 1807. During last 50 years of life, rarely left precincts of college. Instead, confined himself to garret where, allowing himself no fire, even in coldest weather, devoted himself to his passions - reading and hoarding money. On his death he left £80,000 'to feed the hungry and clothe the naked'.