Bartholomew Mosse

Bartholomew Mosse (1712 – 16 February 1759) was an Irish surgeon and impresario responsible for founding the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin.

Early life Bartholemew Mosse was born in Dysart, 2 km east of Portlaoise (then called Maryborough), the fifth son of seven children born to William Mosse, a Protestant clergyman, and Martha Boyle. Bartholomew apprenticed with Dr. John Stone as a barber-surgeon from 1729-1733, when he passed the examination by the surgeon-general. He married Mary Elizabeth Mallory in 1734, and they had a son, Michael, who was born in 1737. While historical records are unclear, it appears that both mother and infant died shortly thereafter.

In 1738, he was appointed surgeon in charge of the draft of troops to Menorca, following which he spent time travelling through Europe. It is believed that it was during this time that he decided to focus on midwifery, to which end he observed maternity care in Paris, among other cities.

An annual lecture, the Bartholomew Mosse Memorial Lecture, was established in 1961 and is held annually on first Friday in November.