Richard Helsham

Richard Helsham (1683 – 1 August 1738) was an Irish physician and natural philosopher at Trinity College Dublin.

Back at TCD, he became MD in 1713, and was co-opted a senior fellow in 1714, eventually resigning from that position in 1730.

Helsham was a friend of Jonathan Swift, and of Dublin men of letters generally, including Michael Clancy and Patrick Delany.

[7][8] With Patrick Delany, Helsham wrote an anonymous political pamphlet, A long history of a short session of parliament in a certain kingdom (Dublin, 1714).

It was aimed at the Irish Parliament, was considered scandalous, and was ordered to be burnt by the common hangman.