James A. Flaherty
James A. Flaherty (July 3, 1853 – January 2, 1937) was an American lawyer who served as the sixth Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus from September 1, 1909, to August 31, 1927.
James Flaherty | |
|---|---|
| 6th Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus | |
 James Flaherty | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Installed | September 1, 1909 |
| Term ended | August 31, 1927 |
| Predecessor | Edward L. Hearn |
| Successor | Martin H. Carmody |
| Other post(s) | 9th Deputy Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus (1905–1909) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James A. Flaherty July 3, 1853 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | January 2, 1937 (aged 83) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Children | 3, including Joseph A. Flaherty |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania (LLB) |
Early life
Flaherty was born on July 3, 1853, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Irish immigrants. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in the 1870s. Flaherty practiced law for sixty-two years in Philadelphia as a lawyer specializing in settlement cases in the Orphan Court.
Knights of Columbus
In 1909 Flaherty was elected Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus and served in the position until he retired on August 31, 1927. During his term in office, the Knights of Columbus engaged in significant work helping U.S. servicemen during World War I and civilians in the aftermath of the war. He received many honors for his work and that of the Knights, including the Croix de Guerre from the government of France. He was also awarded a medal from Secretary of War Newton D. Baker.[1]
Death
Flaherty died from pneumonia at his home on the evening of January 2, 1937. He left three children. A son, Joseph A. Flaherty O.S.A., was president of Villanova University from 1965 to 1967.[2]
Gallery
Portrait of James A. Flaherty (1903) by Thomas Eakins, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia.
References
- Dumenil, Lynn (Fall 1991). "The tribal Twenties: "Assimilated" Catholics' response to Anti-Catholicism in the 1920s". Journal of American Ethnic History. 11 (1): 23. JSTOR 27500903.
- "Reverend Joseph A. Flaherty, O.S.A." Villanova University. Retrieved October 29, 2016.