William Francis Barry
Encyclopedia
Rev. Dr. William Francis Barry (21 April 1849 – 15 December 1930) was a British Catholic priest, theologian, educator and writer. He served as vice president and professor of philosophy at Birmingham Theological College from 1873 to 1877 and then professor of divinity at Oscott College from 1877 to 1880. A distinguished ecclesiastic, Barry gave lectures in both Great Britain
and the United States
during the 1890s. He was also a popular author and novelist at the turn of the century
, whose books usually dealt with then controversial religious and social questions, and is credited as the creator of the modern English Catholic novel.
parents on 21 April 1849. He was educated at Hammersmith Training School, Sedgeley Park School and Oscott College prior to attending the English College and the Gregorian University in Rome
in 1868. Barry was seventh in honors at his matriculation
at London University, and a scholar of the English College de Urbe. He also became exceptionally knowledgeable in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Greek, and Latin languages and literature.
He studied under Cardinals Johann Baptist Franzelin
, Camillo Tarquini
, and Perrone while at the university, received a BC and DD and was present during the Vatican Council
and taking of Rome
in 1870. In 1873, he was ordained as a Catholic priest at St. John Lateran and returned to England to teach philosophy and religious history at Birmingham (or Olton) Theological College. He also served as its vice president from 1873 to 1877 before moving on to his old alma mater
as a professor of divinity at Oscott College until 1880. Three years later, Barry moved to Dorchester-on-Thames in Oxfordshire
where he remained a longtime resident for over 20 years. A year or two after arriving in England, Bary also became a regular contributor to the Dublin Review
and later the Contemporary Review
, the Edinburgh Review
, and the Nineteenth Century
; he published around 70 essays in various periodicals during his lifetime.
Bary began traveling the country, first going on mission in Wolverhampton
in 1883, delivered addresses in the United States
in 1893, and lectured at the Royal Institution
as well as in many parts of England. In 1897, he delivered a centenary address on Burke in both London and Dublin. By the turn of the century
, he had also published a number of popular religious and romance novel
s. In many of these, the themes of these books often touched upon controversial religious and social questions of the period. His first novel, The New Antigone (1887), included concepts involving socialism
, atheism
, free thought, sexual openness
, and rights for women
. In later novels, such as Arden Massiter (1900), a youthful English socialist
becomes entangled in Italian revolutionary politics, while The Wizard's Knot (1901) criticised the Celtic Revival
ism. His last novel, The Dayspring (1903), depicts a young Irishman who journeys to France to live in the Paris Commune
but eventually chooses to leave for America considering it to hold a truer prospect of freedom than life in the Commune.
Barry then turned to non-fiction and published a series of books on religion. These included biographies on religious figures such as Cardinal Newman and Ernest Renan
, and on Catholicism
in general, with his most notable works being The Papal Monarchy (1902) and Heralds of Revolt (1904). His writings about the medieval papacy were censored by his superiors. In 1923, he was created a Notary Apostolic
by Pope Pius XI. Barry wrote his autobiography
, Memories and Opinions (1926), three years later. After living at Leamington for a time as rector
of St. Peter's, he moved back to Oxford in 1928; he died there on 15 December 1930, at the age of 81.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
during the 1890s. He was also a popular author and novelist at the turn of the century
Turn of the century
Turn of the century, in its broadest sense, refers to the transition from one century to another. The term is most often used to indicate a non-specific time period either before or after the beginning of a century....
, whose books usually dealt with then controversial religious and social questions, and is credited as the creator of the modern English Catholic novel.
Biography
William Francis Barry was born in London, England, to Irish CatholicIrish Catholic
Irish Catholic is a term used to describe people who are both Roman Catholic and Irish .Note: the term is not used to describe a variant of Catholicism. More particularly, it is not a separate creed or sect in the sense that "Anglo-Catholic", "Old Catholic", "Eastern Orthodox Catholic" might be...
parents on 21 April 1849. He was educated at Hammersmith Training School, Sedgeley Park School and Oscott College prior to attending the English College and the Gregorian University in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
in 1868. Barry was seventh in honors at his matriculation
Matriculation
Matriculation, in the broadest sense, means to be registered or added to a list, from the Latin matricula – little list. In Scottish heraldry, for instance, a matriculation is a registration of armorial bearings...
at London University, and a scholar of the English College de Urbe. He also became exceptionally knowledgeable in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Greek, and Latin languages and literature.
He studied under Cardinals Johann Baptist Franzelin
Johann Baptist Franzelin
Johann Baptist Franzelin was an Austrian Jesuit theologian and Cardinal.-Life:Despite their poverty, his parents sent him at an early age to the neighboring Franciscan college at Bolzano...
, Camillo Tarquini
Camillo Tarquini
Camillo Tarquini was an Italian Cardinal, Jesuit canonist and archaeologist.Tarquini entered the Society of Jesus on August 27, 1837...
, and Perrone while at the university, received a BC and DD and was present during the Vatican Council
Vatican Council
The First Vatican Council took place in 1869 - 1870 and was the 20th of ecumenical councils recognized by Roman Catholicism.The Second Vatican Council took place in the 1962 - 1965 and was the 21st....
and taking of Rome
Capture of Rome
The Capture of Rome was the final event of the long process of Italian unification known as the Risorgimento, which finally unified the Italian peninsula under King Victor Emmanuel II of the House of Savoy...
in 1870. In 1873, he was ordained as a Catholic priest at St. John Lateran and returned to England to teach philosophy and religious history at Birmingham (or Olton) Theological College. He also served as its vice president from 1873 to 1877 before moving on to his old alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
as a professor of divinity at Oscott College until 1880. Three years later, Barry moved to Dorchester-on-Thames in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
where he remained a longtime resident for over 20 years. A year or two after arriving in England, Bary also became a regular contributor to the Dublin Review
Dublin Review
The Dublin Review may mean either of these journals:*Dublin Review , a Catholic publication*The Dublin Review , a literary magazine...
and later the Contemporary Review
Contemporary Review
-Foundation:It was founded in 1866 by Alexander Strahan and a group of intellectuals anxious to promote intelligent and independent opinion about the great issues of their day. They intended it to be the church-minded counterpart of the resolutely secular Fortnightly Review, which was founded by...
, the Edinburgh Review
Edinburgh Review
The Edinburgh Review, founded in 1802, was one of the most influential British magazines of the 19th century. It ceased publication in 1929. The magazine took its Latin motto judex damnatur ubi nocens absolvitur from Publilius Syrus.In 1984, the Scottish cultural magazine New Edinburgh Review,...
, and the Nineteenth Century
Nineteenth Century (periodical)
The Nineteenth Century was a British monthly literary magazine founded in 1877 by Sir James Knowles. Many of the early contributors to The Nineteenth Century were members of the Metaphysical Society. The journal was intended to publish debate by leading intellectuals.In 1900, the title was changed...
; he published around 70 essays in various periodicals during his lifetime.
Bary began traveling the country, first going on mission in Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
in 1883, delivered addresses in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1893, and lectured at the Royal Institution
Royal Institution
The Royal Institution of Great Britain is an organization devoted to scientific education and research, based in London.-Overview:...
as well as in many parts of England. In 1897, he delivered a centenary address on Burke in both London and Dublin. By the turn of the century
Turn of the century
Turn of the century, in its broadest sense, refers to the transition from one century to another. The term is most often used to indicate a non-specific time period either before or after the beginning of a century....
, he had also published a number of popular religious and romance novel
Romance novel
The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...
s. In many of these, the themes of these books often touched upon controversial religious and social questions of the period. His first novel, The New Antigone (1887), included concepts involving socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
, atheism
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
, free thought, sexual openness
Human sexuality
Human sexuality is the awareness of gender differences, and the capacity to have erotic experiences and responses. Human sexuality can also be described as the way someone is sexually attracted to another person whether it is to opposite sexes , to the same sex , to either sexes , or not being...
, and rights for women
Women's suffrage
Women's suffrage or woman suffrage is the right of women to vote and to run for office. The expression is also used for the economic and political reform movement aimed at extending these rights to women and without any restrictions or qualifications such as property ownership, payment of tax, or...
. In later novels, such as Arden Massiter (1900), a youthful English socialist
History of socialism in Great Britain
The History of socialism in the United Kingdom is generally thought to stretch back to the 19th century. Starting to arise in the aftermath of the English Civil War notions of socialism in Great Britain and Northern Ireland have taken many different forms from the utopian philanthropism of Robert...
becomes entangled in Italian revolutionary politics, while The Wizard's Knot (1901) criticised the Celtic Revival
Celtic Revival
Celtic Revival covers a variety of movements and trends, mostly in the 19th and 20th centuries, which drew on the traditions of Celtic literature and Celtic art, or in fact more often what art historians call Insular art...
ism. His last novel, The Dayspring (1903), depicts a young Irishman who journeys to France to live in the Paris Commune
Paris Commune
The Paris Commune was a government that briefly ruled Paris from March 18 to May 28, 1871. It existed before the split between anarchists and Marxists had taken place, and it is hailed by both groups as the first assumption of power by the working class during the Industrial Revolution...
but eventually chooses to leave for America considering it to hold a truer prospect of freedom than life in the Commune.
Barry then turned to non-fiction and published a series of books on religion. These included biographies on religious figures such as Cardinal Newman and Ernest Renan
Ernest Renan
Ernest Renan was a French expert of Middle East ancient languages and civilizations, philosopher and writer, devoted to his native province of Brittany...
, and on 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....
in general, with his most notable works being The Papal Monarchy (1902) and Heralds of Revolt (1904). His writings about the medieval papacy were censored by his superiors. In 1923, he was created a Notary Apostolic
Notarius
A notarius is a public secretary who is appointed by competent authority to draw up official or authentic documents . In the Roman Catholic Church there have been apostolic notaries and even episcopal notaries...
by Pope Pius XI. Barry wrote his autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
, Memories and Opinions (1926), three years later. After living at Leamington for a time as rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of St. Peter's, he moved back to Oxford in 1928; he died there on 15 December 1930, at the age of 81.
Fiction
- The New Antigone (1887)
- The Two Standards (1898)
- Arden Massiter (1900)
- The Wizard's Knot (1901)
- The Dayspring (1903)
Non-fiction
- The Papal Monarchy (1902)
- Newman (1904)
- Heralds of Revolt (1904)
- Ernest Renan (1905)
- The King's Highway of the Holy Cross (1905)
- The Catholic Church and Labour (1908)
- The Religion of America: To a Catholic Missionary in the United States (1913)
- The World's Debate (1917)
- Memories and Opinions (1926)
- The Triumph of Life, Or Science and the Soul (1928)
- The Papacy and Modern Times: A Political Sketch, 1303-1870 (1929)
- The Tariff (1929)
- The Coming Age and the Catholic Church: A Forecast (1929)
External links
- http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=mediatype%3A(texts)%20-contributor%3Agutenberg%20AND%20(subject%3A%22Barry%2C%20William%20Francis%2C%201849-1930%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Barry%2C%20W%2E%20F%2E%20%28William%20Francis%29%2C%201849-1930%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Barry%2C%20William%20F%2E%20%28William%20Francis%29%2C%201849-1930%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Barry%2C%20William%20Francis%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Barry%2C%20W%2E%20F%2E%20%28William%20Francis%29%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Barry%2C%20William%20F%2E%20%28William%20Francis%29%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22William%20Francis%20Barry%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22William%20F%2E%20Barry%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22W%2E%20F%2E%20Barry%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Barry%2C%20William%20Francis%2C%201849-1930%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Barry%2C%20William%20Francis%2C%20Sir%2C%201849-1930%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Barry%2C%20W%2E%20F%2E%20%28William%20Francis%29%2C%201849-1930%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Barry%2C%20William%20F%2E%20%28William%20Francis%29%2C%201849-1930%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Barry%2C%20William%20Francis%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Barry%2C%20W%2E%20F%2E%20%28William%20Francis%29%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Barry%2C%20William%20F%2E%20%28William%20Francis%29%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22William%20Francis%20Barry%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22William%20F%2E%20Barry%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22W%2E%20F%2E%20Barry%22%20OR%20title%3A%22William%20Francis%20Barry%22%20OR%20title%3A%22William%20F%2E%20Barry%22%20OR%20title%3A%22W%2E%20F%2E%20Barry%22%20OR%20description%3A%22William%20Francis%20Barry%22%20OR%20description%3A%22William%20F%2E%20Barry%22%20OR%20description%3A%22W%2E%20F%2E%20Barry%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Barry%2C%20William%20Francis%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Barry%2C%20W%2E%20F%2E%20%28William%20Francis%29%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Barry%2C%20William%20F%2E%20%28William%20Francis%29%22)Works by or about William Francis Barry] at Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
(scanned books original editions color illustrated)