(1799-1875) Scientist and educator, born New York City; died Lahore, India. He was professor of mathematics and astronomy, Columbia College, New York, and accompanied the U.S. Dead Sea Exploration, 1848. Becoming a Catholic, he was first president of the Supreme Council of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in New York, founder of the New York Catholic Protectory, Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, and president of the Catholic Union which he organized for the defense of papal rights and promotion of the Catholic religion. He died on his return journey from Australia where he had gone to observe the transit of Venus. In addition to several articles contributed to scientific papers, he was the author of "Geological Reconnaissance of Part of the Holy Land," published by the U.S. Government.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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