Thomas C. Levins

Background

Thomas C. Levins was born in ancient Drogheda, Ireland, the son of Patrick and Margaret Levins.

Education

He studied at the famous Jesuit institutions of Clongowes, Dublin, and Stonyhurst, Lancashire, England, a fact which in itself indicated that his family was comfortably circumstanced.

Career

Upon graduation Levins joined the Society of Jesus and was ordered to Georgetown College, Georgetown, D. C. , where for three years he taught natural philosophy and mathematics (1822 - 1825). Withdrawing from the Society, he accepted the invitation of Dr. John Power to enter the diocese of New York, where he served as an assistant at St. Peter's Church and as pastor of old St. Patrick's. A writer of ability with a Celtic taste for journalism, he associated himself with the newly founded Truth Teller and later (1833) became a joint editor with Rev. J. A. Schneller of the New York Weekly Register and Catholic Diary, a position which he held until the publication was merged with the Philadelphia Catholic Herald in 1836.

Irreproachable in character but of a sour, critical disposition, he ran afoul of Bishop John Dubois who in 1834 suspended him for technical disobedience. Apparently a leader of the Irish faction, he resented a Frenchman as his ordinary. He was popular in the diocese, however, and with the trustees, who appointed him principal of the school and even threatened to cut off the bishop's income; but Dubois stood firmly for ecclesiastical discipline, and Levins as an orthodox priest soon severed his connections with the trustees and lived a model life as a lay Catholic.

He now gave his attention to journalism, founding the ephemeral Green Banner and writing for the Catholic Register. Something of a mineralogist and an excellent mathematician when scientists were rare in New York, he acted twice on the board of examiners for West Point (Truth Teller, March 24, 1827) and was retained as an engineer on the Croton aqueduct. The plans for the high bridge are said to have been his work. Restored to his priestly office in 1841, he was assigned by Bishop John Hughes to the rectorship of St. John's Church, Albany, but owing to failing sight and threatened paralysis, he was unable to assume active duty.

Achievements

• Levins was a versatile man and a capable controversialist, but his career was marred by his inability to fit into an organization. He was best known for his contributions as an editor and journalist to the periodicals.

Connections

Father:

Patrick Levins

Mother:

Margaret Levins

References

• Pioneer Efforts in Catholic Journalism in the United States (1809-1840) (Classic Reprint)