John Gilmary Shea

John Dawson Gilmary Shea (July 22, 1824 to February 22, 1892) was an author, editor, and researcher of US history, and particularly of American Roman Catholic history. He is regarded as the “Father of American Catholic History” and was also a leading authority on indigenous Americans. Born in New York City , his early studies were at the grammar school of Columbia College, where his father was the principal. As a young clerk in a Spanish merchant's office, he learned to read and write in fluent Spanish. After graduating from St. John's College (Fordham University), he joined the Society of Jesus in 1844. After studying law, and obtaining a LL.D. deggree from St. John's College, he left the Jesuits in 1852. His Discovery and Exploration of the Mississippi Valley with the original narratives of Marquette, Allouez, Membré, Hennepin and Anastase Douay, about early Indian missions in America was published later in 1852.