Robert Gwynn

Robert Malcolm Gwynn (26 April 1877 – 25 June 1962) was a Church of Ireland clergyman and academic whose entire working life was spent at Trinity College Dublin. In his youth, he was also an outstanding cricketer.

Life Robert Malcolm Gwynn (generally known to family and friends as "Robin" or "R.M.") was born in Ramelton, County Donegal, on 26 April 1877 while his father, the Reverend John Gwynn, was Dean of Raphoe. He was one of eight brothers and two sisters. Their mother was Lucy Josephine Gwynn, daughter of the Irish patriot William Smith O'Brien.

Robin Gwynn was educated at St Columba's College, Rathfarnham and Trinity College Dublin. In 1896 he headed the list of Foundation Scholars in Classics at Trinity College Dublin. In 1898 he graduated Bachelor of Arts, gaining a "first of firsts" with gold medals in Classics and Modern Literature.

In 1900, along with his brother Edward Gwynn and others, Robin Gwynn founded the Social Services (Tenements) Company to provide housing for poor families in Dublin city. He subsequently spent many periods working with the poor in Dublin's slums. He was instrumental in founding the Trinity Mission, which served slum dwellers in Belfast, and was for many years actively involved in the Dublin University Fukien Mission (later the Dublin University Far Eastern Mission), eventually becoming its chairman and president. He was the only one of Rev John Gwynn's sons to be ordained, and he never served in a parish. That same year, 1906, he proceeded to MA and was elected a Fellow of Trinity College Dublin.

In 1907 he was appointed Lecturer in Divinity and Tutor, graduating Bachelor of Divinity in 1910.

In 1914 Robin Gwynn married Dr Eileen Gertrude Glenn, a rector's daughter from Pomeroy, County Tyrone. They were to have six children.

Robin Gwynn was tall and athletic, but in later life suffered from deafness. To aid his hearing he used to carry a large ear trumpet with him and this, together with his height and glowing white hair, made him an impressive and instantly recognizable figure round Trinity College. In character, he was patient, kind and wise, but at the same time resolute and tough. His nephew-in-law, the late Archbishop George Simms, remarked that his "gentle humility inspired trust and drew confidences, his stubborn integrity brought surprises for those who mistook charity for easy-going indifference," and spoke of his "athanasian courage."

Robin Gwynn died in Dublin in June 1962, aged 85, and was buried in Whitechurch churchyard. He also played four first-class matches for Dublin University in 1895.

Gwynn made his first-class debut for Dublin University against the MCC on 20 May 1895. He played three further first-class matches for Dublin University in that year, two against Cambridge University and one against Leicestershire.

Several of Robin Gwynn's close kin were also noted cricketers. His brother John played first-class cricket in India, whilst two further brothers (Lucius and Arthur) also represented Ireland, as did his cousin Donough O'Brien. His nephew John David Gwynn also played for Dublin University.

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