Martin Ignatius Joseph Griffin

Independence Hall in Philadelphia (Ferdinand Richardt, ca. 1858–1863). Griffin was born and died in Philadelphia, and focused most of his research on the Catholic history of the city.

Martin Ignatius Joseph Griffin (1842–1911) was an American Catholic journalist and historian, instrumental to the founding of the American Catholic Historical Society. He contributed widely to scholarly journals and was the author of several books and monographs on the history of Catholicism in the United States.

Life

Griffin was born at Philadelphia on October 23, 1842.

From an early age, Griffin became known as a regular contributor and editor with various Catholic publications. In 1872, he was made secretary of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union, and both founded and edited its journal from 1873 to 1894. This publication began as the I.C.B.U. Journal but was eventually called simply Griffin's Journal. Articles on American Catholic history were a regular feature in his journal. This historical interest led to the founding of the American Catholic Historical Society on July 22, 1884. Griffin remained librarian of that society until his death. In January 1887, he acquired the journal of newly-defunct Ohio Valley Catholic Historical Society and continued its publication under the name American Catholic Historical Researches. This he also continued to edit until his death.

He died in Philadelphia on November 10, 1911, aged 69.

Legacy

Three years after his death, Griffin was praised as "an indefatigable delver into the byways of the past" by the Catholic Encyclopedia because of the extent and quality of his research into the Catholic history of the United States.

Among his publications are two major books, a History of Commodore John Barry (Philadelphia, 1903) and Catholics and the American Revolution (3 vols., Philadelphia, 1907–1911). Griffin also published monographs on the history of Old St. Joseph's and several other Philadelphia churches (1881–1882), on Bishop Michael Francis Egan, O.S.F. (1885), Thomas Fitzsimons (1887), and on the trial of John Ury (1899).

From the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia

Martin Ignatius Joseph Griffin — Journalist, historian, b. at Philadelphia, 23 Oct., 1842; d. there, 10 Nov., 1911. In early manhood he was associated as contributor and editor with various Catholic publications. Appointed in 1872 secretary of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union he founded and edited its organ from 1873 to 1894, first with the title the "I.C.B.U. Journal", and then as "Griffin's Journal". His articles on local Catholic history printed in this "Journal" led to the founding, 22 July, 1884, of the "American Catholic Historical Society" of Philadelphia, of which he was librarian at his death. In January, 1887, he began the publication of the "American Catholic Historical Researches", which he continued to edit till he died. An indefatigable delver into the byways of the past, he collected a large amount of original data that will be of much value and assistance to the historian of the development of the Church in the United States. His most important publications are the "History of Commodore John Barry" (Philadelphia, 1903), and "Catholics and the American Revolution" (3 vols., Philadelphia, 1907-1911). Monographs on the history of old St. Joseph's and several other Philadelphia churches (1881-1882), on Bishop Michael Egan, O.S.F. (1885), Thomas FitzSimons (1887), and "The trial of John Ury" (1899) preserve many details otherwise neglected. Mr. Griffin was also very active in the promotion of the cause of total abstinence, and of the building and loan associations that did so much good in the industrial community of his native city.

American Catholic Historical Researches (Philadelphia, April, 1912); American Catholic Who's Who (St. Louis, 1911); Catholic Standard and Times (Philadelphia), files.

External links

• Works by Martin Ignatius Joseph Griffin at Project Gutenberg