Collection: Leo J. O'Donovan, SJ Papers | Georgetown University Archival Resources

Scope and Contents

The personal papers of former Georgetown University President Fr. Leo O'Donovan (1934-) consist of his published and unpublished writings; teaching materials for classes at Fordham University, Union Theological Seminary, Weston School of Theology, and Woodstock College; and papers related to Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner.

Dates

1961 - 2017

Creator

O'Donovan, Leo J. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

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.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers are solely responsible for determining the copyright status of the materials being used, establishing who the copyright owner is, locating the copyright owner, and obtaining permission for intended use.

Biographical Note

Fr. Leo J. O’Donovan III, son of Leo J. O’Donovan, Jr. (1908-1970) and Margaret M. Joyce (1909-2004, m. 1930), was born in New York City in 1934. After completing his early schooling at Corpus Christi School (Morningside Heights) he attended Iona Preparatory School (New Rochelle), graduating with his high school diploma in 1952. He then went on to study at Georgetown University, earning a degree in English and philosophy in 1956, and the L’Universite de Lyon, where he was a Fullbright scholar (1956-1957).

Fr. O’Donovan entered the Society of Jesus at Wernersville (1957-1959), pursued his philosophy studies at Shrub Oak (1960-1961), and began teaching at Loyola College (Baltimore, 1962-1963). After studying theology at Woodstock College (1964-1967) and being ordained (1966), he completed doctoral studies in theology at the University of Münster under theologian Karl Rahner (1968-1971). Upon returning to the US, Fr. O’Donovan was a professor of systematic theology at Woodstock (1972-1974) and the Weston School of Theology (1975-1989) before becoming president of Georgetown University (1989-2001). After leaving Georgetown he continued to teach theology courses at Fordham University and Union Theological Seminary (2002-2015). Since 2016 he has been the director of mission for the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA.

For further information on his positions and honors, see box 5 folder 11 of this collection.