No 57 Upper Leeson Street

Dr. Richard Best, who lived in No. 57, was the Director of the National Library from 1934 to 1940. An outstanding authority on Irish palaeography and philology, he proved that the Book of the Dun Cow was the work of more than one hand. He also compiled an accurate and exhaustive catalogue of printed Irish literature to be found in the most distant libraries of the world. His was yet another house in which George Moore dined and, describing a dinner at Dr. Best's house in 1917, he said he 'never had a happier evening'. Best shared rooms in Paris with Synge. Ulick O'Connor, in The Celtic Dawn, recounts how on being shown one of his manuscripts, Best suggested to George Moore that the use of the subjunctive would improve a certain sentence. 'But what is a subjunctive, Best?' When Best explained, Moore said with wide eyes: 'But, Best, that is beautiful, I shall always use the subjunctive.'