Brendan Connolly coins and artifacts collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-1986-150

Staff Only

Dates

Creation: approximately 407-411, undated

Scope and Contents

The collection includes nine ancient coins, a necklace with two blue stones, and one trinket-sized ancient ram or goat figurine. One of the coins has a depiction of the myth of Romulus and Remus on one of its sides, and another appears to depict the image of Western Roman emperor Constantine III.

Creator

Connolly, Brendan C. (Brendan Cyril), 1913-1974 (Person)

Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research.

Restrictions on use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Biographical note

Brendan Cyril Connolly, SJ was born in Boston, MA on February 10, 1913 to Daniel Connolly and Mary E. Keane. Connolly was a graduate of Boston College, entered the Jesuit novitiate at Shadowbrook in 1931, and was ordained into the priesthood in 1943. Connolly was the first Jesuit priest to hold a doctorate in library science and received his degrees from Catholic University (B.S. in 1946) and the University of Chicago (Ph.D. in 1955). Connolly served as a librarian and professor of theology at Weston College from 1951-1959, before becoming the Boston College Director of Libraries following the retirement and death of Terence Connolly, SJ in 1959. During his tenure as director, Connolly helped accumulate a Thomas Merton collection for Boston College, which includes drawings by Merton, photographic images, and correspondence. Connolly led the Libraries and continued the development of the Merton collection until 1974.

Connolly died on April 21, 1974 in Boston, MA. At commencement Boston College issues the Brendan Connolly Award, in Connolly's honor, to senior students who love books and respect learning, as did Connolly.

Sources:

Antonio, Margaret. "From Contemplative to Conquering: Letters between BC Jesuits and a Best-selling Author." The Torch. October 22, 2013. https://bctorch.com/2013/10/22/from-contemplative-to-conquering-letters-between-bc-jesuits-and-a-best-selling-author/ (assessed December 16, 2022).

"Seniors Archambault, McGratten top list of A&S award winners." Boston College Biweekly. May 17, 1984. https://newspapers.bc.edu/cgi-bin/bostonsh?a=d&d=bcbiweekly19840517-01.2.11&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-brendan+connolly------ (assessed December 16, 2022).

"Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1920", FamilySearch. https://www.familysearch.org/search/record/results?q.anyDate.from=1913&q.anyPlace=boston&q.givenName=brendan&q.surname=connolly (assessed December 16, 2022).

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 container)

Language of Materials

Latin

Additional Description

Abstract

Brendan Connolly, SJ was the Director of Libraries at Boston College from 1959-1974. The collection is composed of Connolly's collection of nine ancient coins, a necklace made up of two blue stones, and one trinket-sized ancient ram or goat figurine.

Arrangement

Arranged in two series: I. Coins; and II. Artifacts.

Provenance

Because the current accessioning system was not used until January 1986, it is not possible to know exactly the dates of acquisition of materials received before that time.