Brosnahan, Timothy, 1856-1915
Dates
- Existence: 1856 - 1915
Biographical Note
Timothy Brosnahan, Jesuit, college professor, and Boston College president. Born in 1865, Brosnahan attended schools in Washington, DC, and then enrolled at Gonzaga College preparatory school in 1869. Three years later, he applied for admission to the Society of Jesus and entered the novitiate at Frederick, Maryland. He attended Woodstock College and, in 1879, was sent to Boston College. In 1883, he was transferred to Georgetown. He returned to Woodstock to complete his theology training and was ordained in 1887. While teaching at Boston College, Brosnahan helped to establish the college magazine the Stylus. Brosnahan returned to Boston College as a professor of philosophy in 1892. In 1894, he was chosen as the tenth president of Boston College. While president he wrote the essay, "System of Education," which appeared in Boston College's annual course catalog for 57 years. The essay was also adapted for use by a number of other Jesuit colleges. Following his departure from Boston College in 1898, Brosnahan came to national prominence in Catholic circles with his response to Harvard University president Charles Eliot's criticism of Jesuit education. Brosnahan's defense of Jesuit education, published in The Sacred Heart Review, was widely admired and sometimes taught in rhetoric classes. After leaving Boston College, Brosnahan taught at Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland. He died in 1915.
Social Networks and Archival Context (SNAC) Identifier
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Timothy Brosnahan, SJ, President's Office records
The Timothy Brosnahan, SJ, President's Office records contain correspondence, clippings, and writings documenting the life and work of Timothy Brosnahan, SJ, the tenth president of Boston College.
Collection is open for research.