The Rev. Fr. John D. Whitney, S.J

T h e R e v . F r . J o h n D . W h i t n e y , S . J .

P r i e s t a n d E d u c a t o r

By Edouard A. Stackpole

IN THE ROSTER of Nantucketers as teachers and educators we have an extraordinary number of both men and women, each of whom has had careers in education of varying degree and fortune. Most of these people are well known, ranging from Cyrus Peirce, Maria Mitchell, Augustus Morse and Anna Gardner to Anne Ring, Harriett Williams and Mary Walker of the present times. But there was one individual who has become nearly lost in the passage of time, and who needs not only to be better known but carefully studied as he established an enduring record as an educator in university circles.

The name of this unusual Nantucketer was the Rev. Fr. John Dunning Whitney, S. J. He was born here on July 19, 1850, the son of Thomas J. Whitney, of Nantucket, and Esther A. Dunning, who came from Maine. Father Whitney's grandparents were Daniel Whitney and Sally Coffin. With a seafaring ancestry it was natural that young Whitney would seek the marine world for his future, and in 1868 he left Nantucket High School to sign on as a cadet aboard the training ship Mercury, where he soon became an officer. He was a tall, powerfully built man, with a strong mind to match his robust form.

The story of his conversion to Catholicism is best given in his own words, just as he told it to Georgina P. Curtiss and recorded in her book, "Some Roads To Rome in America." It reads as follows:

"I was brought up a Congregationalist; my mother was a devout member of that church. In the morning and again in the evening on Sunday I used to attend the somewhat protracted services which were common in those days, and in the afternoon I went to the Sabbath School. Here we were taught, no doubt, something of the catechism. When I was in my twentieth year I fell in with Mr. A—, a young man a few years older than myself, and a fellow officer on the school ship Mercury, and we were accustomed to talk over religion. He used to say: 'There is only one true Church, and that is either the Catholic Church or the Mormon Church.' That was a

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curious and startling theory. The result of our talks was that I considered the claims of the Catholic Church worth consideration."

During his service aboard the Mercury young Whitney observed the regular work of the two chaplains aboard—one a young Protestant, the other a venerable Jesuit, Father Duranquet. While he could find no fault with the work of the former he was impressed by the complete devotion of the old priest. "He never spared himself at all; he was with the boys all day long, and in the evening when until the hammocks were piped down. The next morning at 5 o'clock he said Mass and gave Communion."

The Mercury was sent to New York in August, 1870, to attend the races for the famous America's Cup. The captain invited a newlymarried couple to return to New York aboard the training ship. On the cruise down Long Island Sound the bride accidently dropped a book she was reading over the side, and the gallant executive officer had a boat lowered and retrieved it for her. By some unexplained reason, when the ship reached New York the lady left the book on the wardroom table. Father Whitney described the incident:

"I was curious to see what had been the object of this remarkable rescue. I took up the book and found it was the Invitation Heeded. I read it over and over, with ever increasing pleasure and satisfaction. I had found the source and seal of authority. Much to the surprise of Father Duranquet I approached him one day with the book in my hand and said: 'Father, if this book be true, I feel I ought to become a Catholic.' He answered very prudently: 'Well, it's a serious question. You must pray over it, and I will send you more books to read.' And so the months passed. The Father sent me a number of books. I read them and talked with my friend, Mr. A—. I prayed for light and strength."

Finally, John Whitney went to see Father Duranquet again, and announced his mind was made up. It was decided that the following day they would go to the Church of the Paulist Fathers, an old one then on 59th Street, so that the Rev. Dr. Stone, who resided there, might consent to be his godfather. His recollection of the subsequent events follows:

"On so, on the second of November, 1870, All Soul's Day, I was baptized conditionally by Father Duranquet, and received into the Catholic Church. When I arrived at the Church they were singing the Requiem Mass appointed for the

The Rev. Fr. John D. Whitney, S. J President of Georgetown University — 1898-1901

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day; the catafalque was there and the candles, all of which was strange and unintelligible to me. But I had found the seat of Authority, the Catholic Church, and I was prepared to accept whatever She proposed to me." i

The scene must have been a memorable one—the old church, with the impressive ceremony, the singing, the flickering candles, the venerable priest and the tall young convert—a tableau that was to be only the beginning of Father Whitney's long and distinguished career as a churchman and educator.

After the usual preliminary stages of his life as a devoted member of the Catholic Church the young seaman decided to embark on a religious career. On August 14, 1872, he entered the Society of Jesus, and began upon the usual course of studies peculiar to the training of the followers of Ignatius Loyola. During the years following these studies took him to Stonehurst College, England; Miltown Park, Dublin; Manresa House, Roehampton, England; and Woodstock College, Woodstock, Maryland.

For a number of years previous to his ordination to the priesthood he was Professor of Mathematics at the College of St. Francis Xavier in New York City, and as a priest he continued in that field at Spring Hill College, at Mobile, Alabama. He then taught at Grand Coteau, Louisiana; at the College of the Immaculate Conception, New Orleans; and at Fordham University, in New York City. His interest in mathematics was a natural one, having practiced navigation as an officer on the Mercury, and as an inherited tendency, as his father was a shipwright and his grandfather a merchant sailor and counting house proprietor.

Through his teaching Father Whitney gained the attention of his superiors, and during his tenure as Vice President at Spring Hill College at Mobile, Alabama, his administrative ability did not pass unnoticed. His tall figure was a commanding presence, and his dedication to his various responsibilities as a teacher won for him the respect and devotion of his associates and students.

On July 3, 1898, a quarter-century after his entrance into the priesthood, his years of application to his duties were rewarded by his appointment as President of Georgetown University. During the next four years his work won for him the respect of faculties and students alike. Always evident was his desire to lessen the gulf between superior and inferior and to create even a stronger loyalty to the University.

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His biographer, Georgina P. Curtiss, wrote: "To analyze with any degree of faithfulness, or to portray his influence over those under his charge, is a task which the writer deems beyond the power of pen or tongue."

She went on to state:

"Standing out pre-eminently from all else is one fact; he manifested a singularly intense interest in each individual student, and being conversant with the record and connections of every boy, he easily brought himself into personal contact with them Gifted with this remarkable faculty for knowing and remembering people, he exercised a wonderful influence in encouraging the backward and inspiring the ambitious "

During Father Whitney's Presidency at Georgetown numerous improvements were made at the College. The porticos at the main and middle entrances were completed; the Hirst Library and Hughes Memorial Room were opened. He formally opened the Georgetown Hospital and arranged for incorporation with the University of the Washington Dental College and Hospital of Oral Surgery. Nor was athletics as an important activity ignored as he introduced football after a lapse of four years. He also introduced caps and gowns at the University.

He was relieved of these pressing duties as President of Georgetown in July, 1901, and promptly appointed to fill the office of Treasurer at Boston College. Following this assignment he was stationed at posts in Brooklyn and Baltimore, where he performed duties in parochial work.

In the summer of 1916, upon the advice of his physician, he returned to Boston to consult his old friend, Dr. Slattery. The report of this physician was devastating, when he informed the Superiors that Father Whitney was terminally ill—that he had but a year to live. That such a big man could be so afflicted was unthinkable. As for Father Whitney he never appeared to be concerned with the medical verdict, but continued his regular duties, making himself characteristically a companion and friend. But his failing health soon forced him to a less active role, and he was finally forced to spend more time in his room in the infirmary. His biographer describes his last days:

"Towards the end of October, it began to be evident that the judgment of the doctor was not very far from being exact. He

18 HISTORIC NANTUCKET

His biographer, Georgina P. Curtiss, wrote: "To analyze with a ly degree of faithfulness, or to portray his influence over those under his charge, is a task which the writer deems beyond the power of pen or tongue."

She went on to state:

"Standing out pre-eminently from all else is one fact; he manifested a singularly intense interest in each individual student, and being conversant with the record and connections of every boy, he easily brought himself into personal contact with them Gifted with this remarkable faculty for knowing and remembering people, he exercised a wonderful influence in encouraging the backward and inspiring the ambitious "

During Father Whitney's Presidency at Georgetown numerous improvements were made at the College. The porticos at the main ; nd middle entrances were completed; the Hirst Library and Hug les Memorial Room were opened. He formally opened the Georgetown Hospital and arranged for incorporation with the University of he Washington Dental College and Hospital of Oral Surgery. Nor was athletics as an important activity ignored as he introduced football !r aftt a lapse of four years. He also introduced caps and gowns at the Univers ty-

He was relieved of these pressing duties as President of Georgetc wn in July, 1901, and promptly appointed to fill the office of Treasurer at Boston College. Following this assignment he was stationed at post; in Brooklyn and Baltimore, where he performed duties in parochial work

In the summer of 1916, upon the advice of his physician, he returi ted to Boston to consult his old friend, Dr. Slattery. The report of tjhis physician was devastating, when he informed the Superiors that Fat Whitney was terminally ill—that he had but a year to live. That such a man could be so afflicted was unthinkable. As for Father Whitney never appeared to be concerned with the medical verdict, but contin his regular duties, making himself characteristically a companion friend. But his failing health soon forced him to a less active role, and was finally forced to spend more time in his room in the infirmary, biographer describes his last days: aer 3'g he i ed ,nd he His

"Towards the end of October, it began to be evident that the judgment of the doctor was not very far from being exact. He