Skip to main content

Keleher, William L. (1906-1975)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1906-01-27 - 1975

Biographical Note

William L. Keleher, Jesuit and Boston College president.

Keleher was born in Woburn, Massachusetts (1906), attended Boston College High School, graduated from Holy Cross College (1926), and entered the Jesuit Order at Shadowbrook (1926). He taught at the College of the Holy Cross (1932) and received an MA in Chemisty (1933). Keleher completed his theological training at Weston and was ordained (1937). He then served as assistant to the Provincial of the New England Province of Jesuits and as master of novices for the novitiate at Shadowbrook before becoming president of Boston College (1945). Keleher presided over significant growth and expansion at Boston College, including accommodation of veterans returning from World War II, launch of a $1 million capital fund campaign (1946), new construction, founding of the School of Nursing (1947), and the groundwork for founding the School of Education, which opened soon after he left office. Also during Keleher's tenure at Boston College was the Boston Heresy Case, which involved then-Jesuit priest Leonard Feeney. Following his presidency at Boston College, Keleher serving as a professor, administrator, and trustee at Holy Cross. Keleher died 1975.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

William L. Keleher, SJ, President's Office records

 Collection
Abstract The William L. Keleher, SJ, President’s Office records contain materials from the administration of William L. Keleher, SJ, the twentieth president of Boston College. The collection documents the expansion of Boston College in the years immediately following World War II. Correspondence and official documents relate to the management and development of the college, its buildings, schools, and departments. Personal materials include clippings, scrapbooks, and some correspondence. Of...
Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research.

Dates: 1937-1975; Majority of material found within 1945-1951