James A. Flaherty
{{Short description|American lawyer (1853–1937)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
| honorific_prefix =
| name = James Flaherty
| honorific_suffix =
| title = 6th Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus
| image = James A. Flaherty.jpg
| caption = James Flaherty
| alt = Head shot of James Flaherty
| church = Catholic Church
| term_start = {{start date|1909|09|01}}
| term_end = {{end date|1927|08|31}}
| predecessor = Edward L. Hearn
| successor = Martin H. Carmody
| other_post = 9th Deputy Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus {{small|(1905–1909)}}
| birth_name = James Augustine Flaherty{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oOnTJJGBazkC&pg=RA1-PA41 |title=Who's Who in Philadelphia in Wartime |date=1920 |volume=I |page=41 |publisher=Safford's National News Service |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |access-date=February 10, 2024}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1853|07|03|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1937|01|02|1853|07|03|mf=yes}}
| death_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| nationality = American
| religion = Roman Catholic
| spouse =
| children = 3, including Joseph A. Flaherty
| alma_mater = University of Pennsylvania (LLB)
}}
James A. Flaherty (July 3, 1853 – January 2, 1937) was an American lawyer who served as the sixth Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus from September 1, 1909, to August 31, 1927.
Early life
Flaherty was born on July 3, 1853, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Irish immigrants. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in the 1870s. Flaherty practiced law for sixty-two years in Philadelphia as a lawyer specializing in settlement cases in the Orphan Court.
Knights of Columbus
In 1909 Flaherty was elected Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus and served in the position until he retired on August 31, 1927. During his term in office, the Knights of Columbus engaged in significant work helping U.S. servicemen during World War I and civilians in the aftermath of the war. He received many honors for his work and that of the Knights, including the Croix de Guerre from the government of France. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by Secretary of War Newton D. Baker.{{cite web |url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/17535 |title=James A. Flaherty |website=Military Times |publisher=Sightline Media Group |access-date=February 10, 2024}}
Death
Flaherty died from pneumonia at his home on the evening of January 2, 1937. He left three children. A son, Joseph A. Flaherty O.S.A., was president of Villanova University from 1965 to 1967.
Gallery
File:James Flaherty G377.jpg|Portrait of James A. Flaherty (1903) by Thomas Eakins, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia.
References
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External links
- {{Find a Grave|16411695}}
{{S-start}}
{{s-rel}}
{{s-bef|before=Edward L. Hearn}}
{{s-ttl|title=Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus|years=1909-1927}}
{{s-aft|after=Martin H. Carmody}}
{{S-end}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Flaherty, James A.}}
Category:Lawyers from Philadelphia
Category:American Roman Catholics
Category:American people of Irish descent
Category:University of Pennsylvania Law School alumni
Category:Deputy Supreme Knights of the Knights of Columbus
Category:Supreme Knights of the Knights of Columbus
Category:American recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France)
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)