James Cardinal Gibbons was born in Baltimore to Irish immigrants on July 23, 1834. His family returned to Ireland in 1837 and he spent a good part of his childhood there until returning with his mother and siblings in 1853 (his father having died in 1847). Gibbons would work as a grocer until 1855 when he entered St. Charles College Seminary, before moving to St. Mary's in 1857, and being ordained in 1861. Thereafter, he was a pastor at St. Bridget's and a chaplain at Fort McHenry during the American Civil War. After the war, Archbishop Spalding of Baltimore hired Gibbons as his secretary. In 1868, the Pope appointed him Apostolic Vicar of North Carolina and Titular Bishop of Adramyttium. While in North Carolina, Gibbons, now known as 'the boy bishop,' was able to write his most important work 'Faith of Our Fathers.' In 1872 he was moved to Richmond as a co-administrator before moving back to Baltimore in 1877 as co-adjuster to Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley. He became the Archbishop of Baltimore following Bayley's death on October 3, 1877.
During his time as archbishop Gibbons had to deal with incorporating new ethnic groups within the archdiocese and host the third Plenary Council in 1884. Pope Leo XIII elevated Gibbons to Cardinal (only the second American to be so) on June 7, 1886 and he was received in Rome by the Pope on March 17, 1887. As cardinal Gibbons became the voice for American Catholics, responsible for speaking on behalf of labor groups in America, in particular the Knights of Labor. He was also instrumental in the founding of The Catholic University of America (CUA) and backing the failed 'Americanization' of the church, which was condemned by the hierarchy in Europe. Despite this setback Gibbons remained an important champion for American Catholicism.
Cardinal Gibbons was also a confidant to American Presidents such as Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. His relationship with Roosevelt was the best and due to this Roosevelt was the keynote speaker at Gibbons' 1911 Jubilee for fifty years upon entering the priesthood and twenty-five years as Cardinal. Gibbons also continued to write into his elder years including his 1909 essay 'The Church and the Republic,' which was a defense of Catholicism within American society. Cardinal Gibbons died peacefully in his sleep on March 24, 1921. His impact on American Catholicism warranted many memorials to be dedicated to him, most famously the Knights of Columbus memorial commissioned by President Calvin Coolidge in 1928 and completed in 1932. Overall, Cardinal Gibbons was the national voice for American Catholics during a time of massive immigration, labor strife, and modernization.
The James Cardinal Gibbons Collection consists of two series. The first series is a box containing publications such newspapers from Cardinal Gibbons Jubilee in 1911 as well as newspapers from his death in 1921. There are also newspaper clippings which were pasted onto sheets of paper from his Jubilee and death. These articles also contain photographs of Gibbons and from his "Civic Demonstration" for his Jubilee. There are also magazines from the Baltimore Sun in tribute to Gibbons following his death in 1921. Also included are Memoriam essays written by Bishop Shahan then Rector of Catholic University. Lastly, this series contains three books; one is a 1945 biography of Gibbons, 1911 commemorative book on his Jubilee, and an October 1911 edition of "The Missionary" commemorating Gibbons' Jubilee.
The second series of this collection is a box of personal correspondence and publications. Gibbons' correspondence includes Photostats of all his letters in this collection as well as original copies of letters to parishioners, Pope Leo XIII, and official pastoral letters to his congregation. Also in this series are invitations and programs to Catholic University events, including a 1919 celebration Consecration celebration, with a photo album, and 1896 and 1898 commencement invitations and addresses given by Gibbons. There are also personal publications such as Apostolate letters and essays such as his 1909 "The Church and the Republic" and his 1883 "On Christian Education". Lastly, there is a pamphlet and invitation to the Rector of Catholic University for the Knights of Columbus memorial statue of Gibbons from 1932. Overall, this collection gives great insight to Cardinal Gibbons' relationship to Catholic University as well insight to his impact on American culture through the lens of his 1911 Jubilee and his death and tributes that followed.
Series 1: Celebratory Publications, 1911-1945, Box 1
Series 2: Personal Correspondence and Publications, 1869-1962, Box 2
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Catholic University of America (CUA):
St. Mary Seminary and University Associated Archives:
This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Unknown
Processing completed in 2012 by Raymond Moore. EAD markup completed in 2012 by Raymond Moore.
This series contains newspapers and newspaper clippings commemorating Cardinal Gibbons 1911 Jubilee and his 1921 death. These clippings are pasted onto sheets of paper and include pictures of Gibbons and his Jubilee celebration, as well as pictures from his funeral. There are also tribute essays written on Gibbons from his 1921 death. Lastly there are three books; a 1945 biography, a 1911 book on the history of the Jubilee, and a magazine with articles on the Jubilee.
A March 26, 1921 full newspaper covering the story of Cardinal Gibbons' death includes an expose on his life.
A March 31, 1921 full newspaper covering the story of Cardinal Gibbons' death, this edition covers details on his death and funeral arrangements.
An April 2, 1921 full newspaper with a front page tribute to Cardinal Gibbons.
An April 2, 1921 full newspaper, reprint, covering the story of Cardinal Gibbons' funeral, includes pictures.
A March 31, 1921 full newspaper covering the story of Cardinal Gibbons' funeral.
A April 9, 1921 full newspaper covering the story of Cardinal Gibbons' memorial mass, includes pictures.
These clippings are from various newspapers and include tributes written by dignitaries, as well as full biographies. There are also photos of the Cardinal and the room where he died in.
This is a continuation of newspaper articles chronicling Cardinal Gibbons' death, includes pictures and eulogies.
These clippings include tributes from famous dignitaries, biographies as well as photographs.
These clippings are a continuation of the previous folder
These are copies of newspaper clippings from Gibbons 1911 Jubilee.
These are copies of newspaper clippings from Gibbons 1921 death.
There are five copies of Bishop Shahan, Rector of CUA, essay in memoriam of Cardinal Gibbons. There is also an essay written by William Kerby, and one by Catholic Charities.
Two copies of a March 24, 1921 tribute magazine on Cardinal Gibbons, includes photographs.
A book on the history of the celebration of Gibbons' Jubilee. Includes the speeches of all dignitaries with a photograph of each speaker. There is also a full written record of the ceremonies proceedings.
An October edition commemorating Cardinal Gibbons' Jubilee. This includes tributes from various members of the clergy and the Apostolic Mission.
A copy of "Larger Then the Sky" by Covelle Newcomb. This is a children's biography of Cardinal Gibbons with illustrations.
This series contains personal correspondence with parishioners as well as other members of the clergy such as other bishops. There is also correspondence with Pope Leo XIII and Benedict XV. There are also Apostolate letters to the archdiocese and essays written by Cardinal Gibbons. Also, there are some newspaper clippings on Gibbons' health and 76th birthday. Lastly, there are invitations, photos and addresses from various Catholic University events such as Commencements and Gibbons 1919 consecration mass and banquet.
These are copies made by CUA of Gibbons letters and correspondence as well as correspondence from 1887 that was retyped.
A January 11, 1869 letter to a parishioner while Gibbons was in Wilmington North Carolina as a co-adjuster also includes a personal name card from Gibbons.
Two copies of an April 10th letter to Pope Leo XIII concerning the opening of Catholic University, in Latin.
These essays include; "On Christian Education" addressed to the Clergy and Laity in Baltimore, 1883. "Letterae Apostoicae Leonis Papae XIII", 1889 Apostolic letter in Latin. Lastly, an essay titled "The Church and the Republic", 1909.
Handwritten and typed letters to D.J. O'Connell who is was Gibbons publisher; as well as Martin Griffin. There is also correspondence to the Vatican through Msgr. Carmelo Pajia. Lastly, there is a letter addressed to the Bishop of Great Falls.
Correspondence concerning Catholic University, as well as an English and Latin letter to Pope Benedict XV.
Invitations and Programs to the 1898 CUA commencement ceremony and the CUA celebration of Gibbons' Jubilee includes menu to banquet and program. There are also eight copies of the 1919 consecration celebration at Caldwell. There are also four menus, six programs, and two seating name cards from the celebration.
Four copies of Gibbons 1896 commencement speech at CUA, A 1912 Pontifical letter by Pope Benedict XV., and a 1918 publication on the morals of "The Christian Home".
Clippings are on Gibbons 76th birthday as well as a picture from his requiem mass.
A booklet from the Memorial committee explaining the history of the memorial statue and the letters that commissioned it from the United States Government. There is also a 1932 invitation to the dedication of the Statue.
A book explaining the history of the Gibbons memorial at Loyola .
This is a 1919 photo album of Cardinal Gibbons Fiftieth Anniversary as a Bishop consecration mass. There are also multiple copies of two essays entitled "America Christianity, and Peace and "Arbitration Treaties".
An original copy of the letter and a Photostat copy, all in Latin