Dates

• Existence: 1886-07-22 - 1972-08-14

Biographical Note

Louis J. Gallagher, Jesuit and Boston College president. Gallagher was born in Boston in 1886. He graduated from Boston College High School in 1903 and matriculated to Boston College, where he completed two years and then joined the Society of Jesus. After his ordainment in 1920 he served as headmaster of Xavier High School in New York City before his selection in 1922 for the Vatican Relief Mission to Russia. When he returned to the United States in 1924, Gallagher became dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Starting in 1926, Gallagher spent six years as Socius to the New England Provincial, then returned returned to Boston College in 1932 as its president. Gallagher's presidency felt the full impact of the Great Depression. Despite financial constraints, Boston College did undergo positive change during this period as well. During Gallagher's administration, Boston College began sponsoring archaeological expeditions, including one in Lebanon reported by Joseph G. Doherty, SJ. After retiring from the presidency of Boston College, Gallagher served as the religious superior of Saint Andrew's House in Boston from 1944-1950. He returned to Georgetown University in 1954, where he taught, wrote, and was associated with the School of Foreign Service until 1971. Gallagher died on August 14, 1972 in Weston, Massachusetts; his funeral service was held at Boston College.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Louis J. Gallagher, SJ, President's Office records

 Collection

Abstract The Louis J. Gallagher, SJ, President's Office records contain correspondence, contracts, ephemera, memorandums, reports, photographs, and drawings documenting the work of Louis J. Gallagher as the seventeenth president of Boston College. The collection dates from 1920 to 1945, with the bulk of the materials dating the years of Gallagher's presidency, 1932 to 1937. Included are records related to maintaining the buildings and grounds of Boston College, the aid of National Youth...

Restrictions on access

Collection open for research; portion also available digitally. Three items in Series V. have been closed due to fragility.

Dates: 1920-1945; Majority of material found within 1932-1937