Richard Griffith, who completed what is known as ‘Griffith’s Valuation’ of Ireland, was a native of Dublin City. Griffith’s Valuation was carried out between 1848 and 1864. It gives detailed information on where people lived in Ireland at the time and the property they owned. Griffith was a geologist and mining engineer who served as Chairman of the Irish Board of Works.
Richard John Griffith was born in Hume Street Dublin in 1784. He attended school in Portarlington, Co Laois and later in Rathanagn, Co Kildare. While he was in school in Rathangan the school was attacked during the rebellion of 1798. Having qualified as a geologist and mining engineer Griffith published the first geological map of Ireland in 1815. He later served as inspector of mines in Ireland.
During the 1820’s Griffith worked on the building of roads in remote parts of Ireland, particularly in the South and West. He also served as Boundary Commissioner and was responsible for the precise fixing of townland boundaries. However his work omitted many of the traditional place names. He was appointed Chairman of the Board of Works in 1850. Griffith died in Dublin at the age of 94 on September 22nd 1878. He is buried in Mount Jerome cemetery.
Richard Griffith was born in Dublin in the year 1784 On This Day.
Photo by infomatique 
Sir Richard John Griffith by infomatique on 2009-09-12 14:59:14