Gallagher, Louis J. (Louis Joseph), 1885-1972

Louis J. Gallagher, SJ, the seventeenth president of Boston College, was born in Boston on July 22, 1885. He graduated from Boston College High School in 1903 and matriculated to Boston College, where he completed two years and then joined the Society of Jesus. After his ordainment on June 29, 1920, by Cardinal James Gibbons, Gallagher served as headmaster of Xavier High School in New York City before his selection in 1922 for the Vatican Relief Mission to Russia. On the mission he accompanied Edmund A. Walsh, SJ, who later founded Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. In March 1923, Gallagher was named an honorary captain in the 11th division of the Cossack Calvary. When he returned to the United States in 1924, Gallagher became dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Beginning in 1926, he spent six years as Socius to the New England Provincial. On January 1, 1932, Gallagher returned to Boston College as its president.

Gallagher's presidency felt the full impact of the Great Depression. Although there was no construction during his administration, Gallagher dealt with maintenance issues concerning existing buildings. The Depression greatly affected tuition payments, and financial aid within the college rose a hundred percent from the previous year. The federal government’s implementation of the National Youth Administration greatly assisted students by providing part-time employment associated with the college.

Despite financial constraints, Boston College did undergo positive change during this period as well. In 1935, with Gallagher's support, the Philomatheia Club purchased an original letter signed by St. Francis Xavier for the Boston College Library. Also during Gallagher's administration, Boston College began sponsoring archaeological expeditions. The first explored an area in Colombia and was jointly sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania; the second expedition, to the Middle East in 1937, was solely sponsored by Boston College. Joseph G. Doherty, SJ, traveled to Lebanon with other Jesuits to excavate a prehistoric rock shelter in Ksar Akil, near Beyrouth, where the site's archaeological yield proved rich.

After retiring from the presidency of Boston College, Gallagher served as the religious superior of Saint Andrew’s House in Boston from 1944-1950. He returned to Georgetown University in 1954, where he taught, wrote, and was associated with the School of Foreign Service until 1971. Gallagher passed away on August 14, 1972 in Weston, Massachusetts; his funeral service was held at Boston College.