Edward John Gwynn (1 April 1868 – 10 February 1941) was an Irish academic who served as the 36th Provost of Trinity College Dublin from 1927 to 1937.
[4] In the following years, Gwynn published numerous articles, translations and commentaries in connection with his research on ancient Irish.
His best-known work was his edition of the Dindshenchas, a collection of legends in prose and verse explaining the origins of Irish place names.
He also translated and annotated texts concerning monastic life in Tallaght, and masterminded the production of a detailed catalogue of the Irish manuscripts in the Academy's collection.
He joined its board of governors and played an active part in its programme of lectures and seminars, which were open to the public.
Knowing that the plan was based on incorrect assumptions and would prove unworkable, Gwynn spoke out against it with quiet but irrefutable logic.
was appointed Provost of Trinity College Dublin, a job for which he - a scholar with administrative skills - was ideally suited.
[5] After Edward Gwynn's death, a colleague recalled not only his keen intellect but also "that well-known smile, so full of mellow wisdom, infinite kindness and quietly amused tolerance of the foibles and extravagances of smaller minds".