Samuel Martin Stephenson

Samuel Martin Stephenson (1742 – 13 January 1833) was an Irish presbyterian minister and medical doctor.

Biography Stephenson was the youngest son of James Stephenson, by his wife Margaret (Martin), was born in 1742 at Straidballymorris, parish of Templepatrick, County Antrim. He founded, in conjunction with James McDonnell, M.D., the dispensary in 1792 and the fever hospital in 1797. Within three months of opening the hospital, McDonnell and his housekeeping, medical and surgical staff all contracted typhus, and hospital services were temporarily suspended. Fortunately he recovered, and ultimately became the most prominent doctor in Belfast where he also founded the Medical Society and the School of Medicine.

He was also a zealous promoter of the (now Royal) Academical Institution which was opened 1 Feb. 1814.

Between 1814 and 1828 he was president and vice-president of the Linen Hall Library in Belfast.

Publications

He published: ‘The Declaration of Faith,’ Belfast, 1774, 8vo; 2 edits. same year; reprinted, with title ‘Of Articles of Faith,’ [1822?], 8vo. ‘A Review of the Reasons … and … Remarks upon a late Declaration of Faith,’ Belfast, 1775, 8vo. ‘De Typho,’ Edinburgh, 1776, 8vo (graduation thesis). ‘On the Linen and Hempen Manufactures of … Ulster,’ Belfast, 1808, 4to. ‘An Historical Essay on the Parish … of Templepatrick,’ Belfast, 1825, 8vo. ‘An Historical Essay on the Parish … of Greyabbey,’ Belfast, 1828, 8vo.