Shea, John Gilmary, 1824-1892

John Dawson Gilmary Shea was born in 1824 in New York City. He attended law school before joining the Society of Jesus in 1848. He then studied at St. John's College (Fordham, NY) and St. Mary's College (Montreal, Canada). Shea left the order in 1852 to pursue a career as a historian. He married Sophie Savage in 1854. During his lifetime, Shea wrote or edited over 250 titles. His most popular works included Discovery and Exploration of the Mississippi Valley (1852), History of the Catholic Missions among the Native American Tribes of the U.S., 1529-1854 (1854), and the four-volume History of the Catholic Church in the U.S. (1886-1892). Shea's articles on Catholic history appeared in U.S. Catholic Magazine, the Catholic World, and the American Catholic Quarterly Review, among others. He was one of the founders of the U.S. Catholic Historical Society, and the first editor of the United States Catholic Historical Magazine. He received honorary degrees from Fordham University and Georgetown University, and was the first recipient of Notre Dame's Laetare Medal in 1883. Shea died in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1892.

From the guide to the John Gilmary Shea papers, 1683-1890, 1853-1890, (University of Dayton)

Catholic historian, co-founder of the United States Catholic Historical Society (1844).

From the description of Papers, 1857-1892. (University of Notre Dame). WorldCat record id: 24960135

Fray Alonso de Benavides was a Franciscan missionary in New Mexico.

From the guide to the Memorial to the King of Spain, giving an account of New Mexico, 1630, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

Epithet: at New York

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000878.0x00011f

John Dawson Gilmary Shea (1824-1892), historian and editor, was born in New York City and educated at St. Mary's College in Montreal, Quebec. Although an attorney, Shea devoted most of his time to historical research and developed into the greatest American Catholic historian, with such works as History of the Catholic Church in the U.S. (1886-1892) and Catholic Missions Among the Indian Tribes of the U.S. (1854). Shea produced over 54 works during his lifetime, including a translation of Charlevoix's six-volume History of New France. He also edited the U. S. Catholic Magazine from 1862 to 1887 and was a member of many historical societies.

From the description of Library catalog, 1853-1892. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 207170067

Born in New York City, the son of James and Mary Ann (Flanagan) Shea, John G. Shea graduated from Columbia Grammar School, 1837, studied at St. John's College, Fordham, 1848-50, LLd. (hon), St. Mary's College, Montreal, 1850-1852, LLd. (hon.), St. Francis Xavier College, and Georgetown College. He was admitted to the New York bar in 1846. He decided not to become a priest in 1852 and instead became an editor and a historical writer of note. For some years he was editor of Frank Leslie's Chimney Corner, editor of General Catholic History, 1858-1890, editor, Library of American Linguistics,1860-1874, founder of U.S. Catholic History Society, and editor Catholic News. His works included The Catholic Church in the United States, A Legendary History of Ireland, History of the Catholic Indian Missions, Discovery and Exploration of the Mississippi Valley, Early Voyages Up and Down the Mississippi, Novum Belgium, an Account of the New Netherlands 1633-44, The Operations of the French under De Grasse, The Life of Pius the Ninth, The Catholic Church in Colonial Days, The Catholic Hierarchy of the United States, and Life and Times of Archbishop Carroll.

Ephriam George Squire was an editor, archeologist, and diplomat. He was the editor of the publishing firm Frank Leslie and at the time of the letter was supervising Frank Leslie's Pictorial History of the American Civil War, 1861-1862, The following year he became U.S. Consul to Peru.

From the description of Letter to E.G. Squier, 1862 June 18. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 61115115