# Maynard Geiger

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**Maynard J. Geiger, O.F.M.**, Ph.D. (August 24, 1901 – May 13, 1977) was an American [Friar Minor](/source/Friar_Minor) and [Roman Catholic priest](/source/Roman_Catholic_priest), who was a major historian of the [Spanish missions in California](/source/Spanish_missions_in_California) founded by the [Franciscan](/source/Franciscan) Order.[1]

## Life

He was born **Joseph Geiger Jr.** in [Lancaster, Pennsylvania](/source/Lancaster,_Pennsylvania), in 1901 to Joseph Geiger and Katherine Kray. Twelve years later the family moved to [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles). After graduating from [Loyola High School](/source/Loyola_High_School_(Los_Angeles)) there in 1919, he entered the seminary of the Friars Minor of California. He was received into the [novitiate](/source/Novitiate) of the Order in 1923, and given the [religious name](/source/Religious_name) of **Maynard**, keeping his birth name as a middle name. He received [Holy Orders](/source/Holy_Orders) on June 9, 1929, at [Mission Santa Barbara](/source/Mission_Santa_Barbara).

Geiger wrote extensively on various aspects of the mission system, and is best known for his biography of [Junípero Serra](/source/Jun%C3%ADpero_Serra), the first "Father Presidente" of the [Alta California](/source/Alta_California) missions. He was a tireless advocate for the mission system and the evangelization of the native populations, choosing to highlight through his scholarship the achievements and dedication of the friars of California.

## See also

- [Zephyrin Engelhardt](/source/Zephyrin_Engelhardt)
- [St. John O'Sullivan](/source/St._John_O'Sullivan)
- [Junípero Serra](/source/Jun%C3%ADpero_Serra)

## References

1. Nunis, Doyce J. Jr. (1977). ["Memorial to Rev. Maynard J. Geiger, O.F.M."](http://escholarship.org/uc/item/66d004nh#page-2). *The Journal of California Anthropology*. **4** (2)

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