Ryan, John A. (John Augustine), 1869-1945

John A. Ryan was raised in a large Irish Catholic family. He was the first of eleven children born to William and Maria (Luby) Ryan in Vermillion, Minnesota, about 20 miles south of St. Paul, on May 25, 1869. Both his father and mother had immigrated from Ireland. He worked on the family farm and participated fully in the devout religious life established by his parents. After graduating from Christian Brothers School in 1887, John entered St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was the valedictorian of his graduating class at St. Thomas College in 1892. Ryan entered St. Paul Seminary in 1892, graduated in 1898, and received his holy orders from Archbishop John Ireland the same year. The young priest moved to the District of Columbia and began graduate studies at The Catholic University of America in 1898. He received his licentiate in theology in 1900 and a doctorate in sacred theology from CUA in 1906. Between 1902 and 1915 Ryan taught at St. Paul Seminary. In 1915 he returned to The Catholic University of America as a professor of political science and in 1916 was made a professor of moral theology as well. Ryan retired from teaching at CUA in 1939. He continued to teach occasionally at nearby Trinity College, which he had done since returning to the District of Columbia. Ryan was also the Director of the National Catholic Welfare Council's Social Action Department during its first 25 years, from 1920 until his death in 1945. In 1933 the Catholic Church made Ryan a domestic prelate (Monsignor). Monsignor John A. Ryan died on September 16, 1945.