Background
He was born in Dublin, Ireland, son of William Alexander Cosgrave and Anna Maria, daughter of Doctor Ephraim McDowel.
He was born in Dublin, Ireland, son of William Alexander Cosgrave and Anna Maria, daughter of Doctor Ephraim McDowel.
He studied in Dublin at Trinity College, the House of Industry and the Rotunda Hospital, taking degrees in chemistry in 1870 and in medicine in 1878.
He was physician to Simpson"s Hospital, Cork Saint Fever Hospital and Drumcondra Hospital in Dublin. He was Professor of Biology in the Royal College of Surgeons and a knight of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. He was one of the principal founders of the Georgian Society, where he acted as honorary secretary.
He was a recognized authority on old Dublin.
He was president of the Amateur Photographic Society and of the Irish Chess Club, indulging in two of his favourite hobbies. He died at his home in Gardiner Row, Dublin.
He became a member of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in 1880 and was president in 1914. He was also a member of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland.