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.

Epithet: Reverend of Yale University

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