John Morris (Jesuit)
Encyclopedia
John Morris was an English Jesuit and historical writer.
, partly in reading for Cambridge with Dean Alford
, the New Testament scholar. Under him a great change passed over Morris's ideas. Giving up the thought of taking the law as his profession, he became enthusiastic for ecclesiastical antiquities, took a deep interest in the Tractarian movement, and resolved to become an Anglican clergyman.
Going up to Trinity College, Cambridge
, in October 1845, he became the friend, and then the pupil of F. A. Paley, grandson of the well-known divine, and already one of the leading Greek scholars of the university. The conversion to Catholicism
of John Henry Newman, followed by many others, impressed him, and he was converted by Bishop Wareing, 20 May 1846.
A storm followed, beginning in The Times, which made itself felt even in Parliament. Paley had to leave Cambridge (which led to his subsequently joining the Catholic Church), while Morris was practically cast off by his family. He then went to the English College, Rome, under Dr. Thomas Grant, and was there during the revolution of 1848.
Soon after the restoration of the English Catholic hierarchy in 1850, he was made Canon of Northampton, and then returned as vice-rector to Rome (1853–1856). He now became postulator for the English Martyrs. Returning to England, he took part in the third Synod of Westminster, became secretary to Cardinal Wiseman, whom he nursed on his death-bed, and served under Archbishop Manning, until he became a Jesuit in 1867.
He taught Church History from 1873–1874; he was Rector of St. Ignatius' College, Malta, from 1877–78; master of novices in 1879; and director of the writers of the English Province in 1888. He died in the pulpit, uttering the words, "Render to God the things that are God's."
and many contributions to The Month
, The Dublin Review
, Archæologia, and other periodicals.
.
Life
He was educated partly in India, partly at Harrow SchoolHarrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
, partly in reading for Cambridge with Dean Alford
Dean Alford
Clarence "Dean" Alford is an American politician and businessman, a member of the Republican Party, a conservative, and a former member of the General Assembly in the U.S. state of Georgia. Alford is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Allied Energy Services and spokesman of...
, the New Testament scholar. Under him a great change passed over Morris's ideas. Giving up the thought of taking the law as his profession, he became enthusiastic for ecclesiastical antiquities, took a deep interest in the Tractarian movement, and resolved to become an Anglican clergyman.
Going up to Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, in October 1845, he became the friend, and then the pupil of F. A. Paley, grandson of the well-known divine, and already one of the leading Greek scholars of the university. The conversion to Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
of John Henry Newman, followed by many others, impressed him, and he was converted by Bishop Wareing, 20 May 1846.
A storm followed, beginning in The Times, which made itself felt even in Parliament. Paley had to leave Cambridge (which led to his subsequently joining the Catholic Church), while Morris was practically cast off by his family. He then went to the English College, Rome, under Dr. Thomas Grant, and was there during the revolution of 1848.
Soon after the restoration of the English Catholic hierarchy in 1850, he was made Canon of Northampton, and then returned as vice-rector to Rome (1853–1856). He now became postulator for the English Martyrs. Returning to England, he took part in the third Synod of Westminster, became secretary to Cardinal Wiseman, whom he nursed on his death-bed, and served under Archbishop Manning, until he became a Jesuit in 1867.
He taught Church History from 1873–1874; he was Rector of St. Ignatius' College, Malta, from 1877–78; master of novices in 1879; and director of the writers of the English Province in 1888. He died in the pulpit, uttering the words, "Render to God the things that are God's."
Works
His principal works are:- "The Life and Martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket" (London, 1859 and 1885);
- "The Life of Father John Gerard" (London, 1881), translated into French, German, Spanish, and Polish;
- "Troubles of our Catholic Forefathers" (3 vols., London, 1872–1877);
- "Letter-books of Sir Amias Poulet" (London, 1874);
and many contributions to The Month
The Month
The Month was a monthly review, published from 1864 to 2001, which for almost all of its history was owned by the English Province of the Society of Jesus and edited by its members.-History:...
, The Dublin Review
Dublin Review (Catholic periodical)
The Dublin Review was an influential Catholic periodical founded in 1836 by Michael Joseph Quin, Cardinal Wiseman and Daniel O'Connell. Quin had the original idea for the new journal, soon persuading Wiseman to lend his support, and next enlisting O'Connell whose Catholic Emancipation campaign he...
, Archæologia, and other periodicals.
Family
His father was John Carnac Morris, F.R.S., known as a scholar of TeluguTelugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
.