Louis J.A. Mercier Papers 1

Louis Joseph Alexandre Mercier was a teacher, lecturer, and philosopher of education. Born in Le Mans, France, on 19 June 1880, he came with his family to Chicago in 1890, in part, to escape the growing interference of the State in religious education. Louis attended parochial school in Chicago until he was admitted to the High School of St. Ignatius College (later, Loyola University) in 1893. He also earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from St. Ignatius, the latter in 1902. His education also included a Fellowship at the University of Chicago, and course work at Columbia University. Mercier's teaching career also began at St. Ignatius College, where he was an Instructor in French from 1900 to 1903, and in 1905. Mercier's great interest in the philosophy of education probably had its beginnings during the period 1906-10, as a French teacher at the Francis Parker School in Chicago. This progressive school had the philosopher John Dewey as an advisor, and was dedicated to the formation of character and the development of social consciousness in its students.

After a year as an instructor in French at the University of Wisconsin, Mercier began his long association with Harvard University, in 1911. During his tenure at Harvard, first as a professor of French and later of both French and Education, Mercier gained a wide reputation as an innovator in the teaching of foreign languages and in the training of teachers. During the period from the late 1920's through the end of World War II, Mercier was also very active in various professional activites. He was in great demand as a lecturer, published many articles, and was active in many organizations. He was President of the American Association of Teachers of French from 1933-35, after serving as an editor of that organization's French Review from 1927 to 1930.

Mercier was also very much in demand as a teacher at special summer institutes, and as a visiting professor. He spent many summers in Canada at the Universities of Montreal and Laval, and semesters at Fordham University and Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Mercier was rewarded for many his public activities by receipt of a number of honorary degrees, including a D.Litt. from his Alma Mater, Loyola University, and a LL.D. from Boston College. He was also awarded the French Legion of Honor, and was a member of the French Academy.

After his retirement from Harvard in 1946, Mercier came to Georgetown as Professor of Comparative Philosophy and Literature,and continued his lecturing and writing activities. He became Chairman of Georgetown's Philosophy Department in 1952, after two years as Acting Chairman. Louis Mercier died at his home in Chevy Chase on 12 March 1953.