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History
John O'Brien Milner Barry was born 26 February 1815 in Cork, the second son of John Milner Barry of Cork, the first doctor to introduce vaccination into an Irish town (Cork in 1800) and founder of the Cork Fever Hospital. Barry studied medicine in Paris between 1833 and 1836. He graduated MD from Edinburgh a year later; the subject of his thesis was Endocarditis. In 1838 became a Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
He set up practice first in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, 1839-42, and then in Totnes, Devon, where he practiced 1844-51. In 1852 he settled permanently in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, where he served as physician to the Infirmary and Dispensary. It has been said that he was
'a safe and an excellent practitioner, having a thorough knowledge of his profession, and his advice was often sought by his professional neighbours and the medical men in the surrounding districts' (BMJ, 1 Oct. 1881).
He became a Member of the Royal College of Physicians in 1859. During his career Barry made various contributions to medical journals, on the subjects of Cystine, Leucocythemia, Diphtheritis, and Ovarian diseases. In 1876 he was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.
He continued practicing in Tunbridge Wells until his death. Barry married twice. He died suddenly of heart disease on 15 September 1881, aged 66, and left behind a widow.