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Wilfrid Parsons, SJ Papers

 Collection
Identifier: GTM-GAMMS62

Collection-level Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of the papers of Joseph Wilfrid Parsons, S.J.(1887-1958), who served as Editor-in-Chief of America Magazine (1925-1936).

Dates

  • 1904 - 1958

Collection-level Access Restrictions

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Biographical note

Father Parsons entered the Society of Jesus at St. Andrew-on-Hudson, Poughkeepsie, New York, where he took his first vows on August 15, 1905. He made his juniorate at St. Andrew (1905-1907), studied Philosophy at the college of St. John Berchman's Louvain, Belgium (1907-1910) and received minor Orders at Mechlin, Belgium (1908). The regency years were spent at Boston College High School (1910-1912 ), Loyola School in New York City (1912-1914), and Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts(1914-1915). After entering Woodstock (1915-1919), where he received Holy orders (May 18, 1919), he was sent in pursuit of graduate studies in theology at Gregorian University in Rome (1919-1921).

Fr. Parsons served as professor of Fundamental Theology at Woodstock and received his last vows feb. 2, 1923. Parsons was appointed Assistant Editor of America Magazine under Richard H. Tierney, S.J., its third editor. He was shortly afterwards appointed Editor-in-Chief (Feb. 25, 1925) after Father Tierney suffered a massive stroke, a post he held until 1936. From 1936-1940, Father Parsons served as Director of the Riggs Memorial Library and the university Archives of Georgetown University prior to serving as Georgetown Professor of Political Science (1937-1938). He, subsequently, served as Dean of the Georgetown University Graduate School (1938-1940) after which he held Catholic University's Chair of Political Philosophy. Parsons returned to Georgetown University in 1952 where he spent his remaining years as Professor of Political Science and writer/correspondant for America Magazine.

For more detailed biographical information concerning Father Parsons, consult the obituary pamphlet authored by John LaFarge,S.J., found in the America Magazine Archives, Box 51, Folder 13.

It should be noted that much of this material contains items pertaining to America Magazine and which overlaps that found in the America Magazine Archives.

Extent

19.5 Linear Feet (15 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Related Archival Materials note

It should be noted that much of this material contains items pertaining to America Magazine and which overlaps that found in the America Magazine Archives.

Title
Wilfrid Parsons, SJ Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Georgetown University Library Booth Family Center for Special Collections, Washington, D.C.
Date
09/30/1990
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
Lauinger Library, 5th Floor
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington DC 20057