Healy, Patrick Francis, 1830-1910

Patrick Francis Healy was born Feb. 27, 1834 in Jones County, S.C., to Michael Morris Healy, an Irish immigrant plantation owner, and Eliza Smith, his slave and common-law wife. At age seven Healy was sent to join his elder brothers James and Hugh at the Flushing Quaker School on Long Island, N.Y. In 1844 the Healy brothers left the Quaker School and enrolled in the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass. After receiving his B.A. in 1850 Patrick Healy joined the Jesuits at the novitiate in Frederick, Md., thus becoming the first African American to enter the Society of Jesus in North America. Following two years of training at Frederick, Healy taught for six years, first at St. Joseph's College, Philadelphia, Pa., and then at Holy Cross. In 1858, after a brief stay at Georgetown, he was sent to Europe to continue his studies, initially in Rome and later at the University of Louvain, Belgium. After his ordination to the priesthood in 1864, Fr. Healy completed his studies at Louvain, receiving a doctorate in philosophy in 1865. Patrick F. Healy is believed to be the first African American to be awarded the Ph.D. degree. Upon his return to the United States in 1866 Fr. Healy was appointed professor of philosophy at Georgetown. From 1868 until 1874 Healy was successively dean of the college, vice-president, vice-rector and acting president of the university. After his confirmation by Rome in 1874, Fr. Healy became the 29th president of Georgetown University, a position he held until ill health prompted his resignation in 1882. During his tenure Healy oversaw dramatic changes in the curriculum at Georgetown, including the introduction of science courses and a postgraduate course in law. At the same time the campus was beautified and the physical plant extended with the addition of the large Flemish Gothic building which bears his name. To the present day Healy Hall remains the most notable structure on the Georgetown campus. After the partial recovery of his health Fr. Healy served successively at St. Joseph's Church, Providence, R.I., and at St. Lawrence Church, New York, N.Y. From 1906 until 1908, when he returned to Georgetown, Healy was spiritual director at St. Joseph's College, Philadelphia. Father Patrick F. Healy died at Georgetown on Jan. 10, 1910. His remains were interred in the Jesuit cemetery on the university campus.

From the description of The Rev. Patrick F. Healy, S.J., papers, 1841-1983 (bulk 1877-1906). (Georgetown University). WorldCat record id: 191730952