Riggs, T. Lawrason (Thomas Lawrason), 1888-1943

T. Lawrason Riggs taught at Yale University, 1916-1917; served with Mobile Hospital Units in World War I; ordained a Roman Catholic priest, 1922; chaplain Catholic Club at Yale, 1922-1938, and the More Club, 1938-1943; founded St. Thomas More Chapel Chapel; instructor at Albertus Magnus College, 1925-1938; administrator, Church of Our Lady of Pompeii, East Haven, 1922-1938; author and active on many boards.

From the description of Thomas Lawrason Riggs papers, 1828-1941 (inclusive). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702168118

Epithet: Reverend of Yale University

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001185.0x000263

T. Lawrason Riggs taught at Yale University, 1916-1917; served with Mobile Hospital Units in World War I; ordained a Roman Catholic priest, 1922; chaplain Catholic Club at Yale, 1922-1938, and the More Club, 1938-1943; founded St. Thomas More Chapel; instructor at Albertus Magnus College, 1925-1938; administrator, Church of Our Lady of Pompeii, East Haven, 1922-1938; author and active on many boards.

Thomas Lawrason Riggs, B.A. 1910

Born June 28, 1888, in New London, Conn.; Died April 26, 1943, in New Haven, Conn.

Father, Elisha Francis Riggs (St. Mary's Coll., Oscott, Warwickshire, England), president Riggs & Company (later Riggs National Bank), Washington, D.C.; son of George Washington Riggs \( ex- 1833) and Janet Madeleine Cecelia (Shedden) Riggs of Washington. Mother, Medora (Thayer) Riggs; daughter of James Smith Thayer (B.A. Amherst 1838) and Medora (Cheatham) Thayer of New York City. Yale relatives include a brother, E. Francis Riggs, '09.

University School, Washington, and Westminster School, Simsbury, Conn. Honors in English composition Junior year; philosopical oration appointment Junior and Senior years; an editor Yale Literary Magazine ; secretary Yale University Dramatic Association Junior year, president Senior year; on Class Book Committee; member Yale Corinthian Yacht Club, University Club, Psi Upsilon, Scroll and Key, Chi Delta Theta, and Phi Beta Kappa.

Traveled abroad 1910-11; attended Harvard Graduate School 1911-15 (M.A. 1912; assistant in English 1912-13); instructor in English at Yale University 1916-17; enlisted in Mobile Hospital No. 39 (Yale unit) June 27, 1917; overseas August 22, 1917-July 5, 1919; served at Limoges September 20, 1917-April 10, 1918 and Aulnois-sous-Vertuzey (Meuse) until transferred to Mobile Hospital No. 3, Paris, July 27, 1918; attached to American Mission, Bureau Interallié, Paris, August, 1918- May, 1919; commissioned Second Lieutenant, Infantry, as of September 8, 1918; assigned to 866th Company, Transportation Corps, Bordeaux; discharged July 15, 1919; attended Catholic University of America 1919-20, St. Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, N.Y., 1920-21, and St. Thomas' Seminary, Hartford, Conn., 1921-22; ordained priest in Roman Catholic church June 10, 1922; chaplain Catholic Club at Yale 1922-38 and its successor The More Club 1938-43; founded St. Thomas More Association for Catholic students at Yale 1937 and through the Association was instrumental in the building of St. Thomas More Chapel; author: The Book of Kildare and Other Verses (1911), Mr. Goodenough on Christianity (pamphlet, 1930), and The Saving Angel (1943); translator: Social Principles of the Gospel by Alphonse Lugan (1928) and the The Last Night of Don Juan by Edmond Rostand (1929); an editor The Christendom Series; contributed to The Harvard Illustrated Magazine, Yale Alumni Magazine, Yale Scientific Monthly, The Catholic World, La Revue des Jeunes (Paris), Ecclesiastical Review, The Symposium, and other publications; on editorial council and contributor to The Commonweal ; member advisory council Albertus Magnus College 1925-43 and instructor in religion 1925-38; on executive committee National Conference of Christians and Jews 1928-43; administrator Church of Our Lady of Pompeii, East Haven, 1922-38; associate fellow Calhoun College 1933-43; trustee The Newman School, Lakewood, N.J.; director The Calvert Associates; governor Yale Publishing Association.

Death due to coronary occlusion. Buried in St. Lawrence Cemetery, New Haven. Survived by no immediate relatives.

Father Riggs left a bequest to St. Thomas More House, the income of which is to be used for the salary of the chaplain.

From Yale University Obituary Record

From the guide to the Thomas Lawrason Riggs papers, 1828-1941, (Manuscripts and Archives)