William Thomas Cosgrave (1880–1965) was born at 174 James’s Street, Dublin. Following the establishment of the Irish Free State on 6 December 1922, Cosgrave was elected president of the Executive Council – a title which later became known as Taoiseach from 1937.

Cosgrave was a strong supporter of the Shannon Scheme and Minister Patrick McGilligan’s efforts to get approval for the project from Cabinet and the Department of Finance. Such support was crucial in realising the Shannon Scheme as the country’s single greatest investment in itself.

Cosgrave’s personal papers are held in UCD Archives.