Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hitchcock, Richard
HITCHCOCK, RICHARD (1825–1856), Irish archæologist, son of Rodney Hitchcock of Spring Vale, co. Cork, Ireland, was born at Blennerville, near Tralee, co. Kerry, in March 1825. Early in life he devoted himself to the study of archæology, especially of the monuments of his native county, which he examined with unceasing ardour, using both pen and pencil in minute and accurate descriptions of them. His researches soon brought him under the notice of Dr. Charles Graves, the present bishop of Limerick, Ardfert, and Aghadoe, by whose influence he was appointed an assistant librarian in the library of Trinity College, Dublin. While thus employed he made good use of his opportunities and contributed many papers to the ‘Proceedings of the Kilkenny Archæological Society.’ These were widely appreciated, and were invariably characterised by accuracy. Ogham literature was his favourite study. Hitchcock died at Roundwood, near Dublin, 3 Dec. 1856.
[Authority mostly communicated by Mrs. Hitchcock (his widow), who still (1891) survives.]