# Robert Molyneux

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Robert_Molyneux
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Robert_Molyneux.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Molyneux
> Source revision: 1350661793
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

English-American Jesuit (1738–1808)

The Reverend Robert Molyneux SJ 2nd & 5th President of Georgetown College In office 1806–1808 Preceded by Leonard Neale Succeeded by Francis Neale In office 1793–1796 Preceded by Robert Plunkett Succeeded by Louis William DuBourg Personal details Born (1738-07-24)July 24, 1738 Formby, Lancashire, England Died December 9, 1808(1808-12-09) (aged 70) Georgetown, District of Columbia, United States[a] Resting place Jesuit Community Cemetery Alma mater Colleges of St Omer and Bruges Signature

**Robert P. Molyneux** [SJ](/source/Society_of_Jesus) (July 24, 1738 – December 9, 1808)[b] was an English-American [Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church) priest and [Jesuit](/source/Society_of_Jesus) [missionary](/source/Missionary) to the United States. Born to a prominent English family, he entered the Society of Jesus and studied at the [College of St Omer](/source/Colleges_of_St_Omer%2C_Bruges_and_Li%C3%A8ge) in France. When the school moved to [Bruges](/source/Bruges), Belgium, he followed, becoming a master. In 1771, he emigrated to the United States as a missionary, where he took up pastoral work in [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia).

He became the pastor of both [Old St. Joseph's Church](/source/Old_St._Joseph's_Church) and [Old St. Mary's Church](/source/St._Mary's_Roman_Catholic_Church_(Philadelphia)), where he served for 16 years. During that time, he opened the first [parochial school](/source/Parochial_school) in the United States, and edited the first American [catechism](/source/Catechism). His pastorate encompassed the [American Revolutionary War](/source/American_Revolutionary_War), and though he did not expressly commit himself to either belligerent, he largely endorsed the American cause.

Molyneux then spent several years in the Jesuits' [Maryland](/source/Maryland) missions, and was made [vicar general](/source/Vicar_general) for [Southern Maryland](/source/Southern_Maryland) by the [Bishop of Baltimore](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Baltimore), [John Carroll](/source/John_Carroll_(archbishop_of_Baltimore)). In 1793, Carroll appointed Molyneux the second [president](/source/List_of_presidents_of_Georgetown_University) of [Georgetown College](/source/Georgetown_University), where he oversaw the construction of the [Old North](/source/Old_North_Building) building. After three years, he returned to missionary work, until 1805, when he was named the first [superior](/source/Provincial_superior) of the [Jesuit Maryland Mission](/source/Jesuits_in_the_United_States) after their [restoration](/source/Suppression_of_the_Society_of_Jesus). He remained superior for the rest of his life, and saw the establishment of a [novitiate](/source/Novitiate) at Georgetown, where he became president again in 1806. His term lasted two years, before he died.

## Early life

Coat of Arms of Robert Molyneux

Robert P. Molyneux was born July 24, 1738, in [Formby](/source/Formby), [Lancashire](/source/Lancashire), England, into a prominent, [Cavalier](/source/Cavalier) family.[3][4] Due to the [Penal Laws](/source/Penal_law_(British)), he was tutored privately at home,[5] before entering the [Society of Jesus](/source/Society_of_Jesus) on September 7, 1757, following in the path of his brother, William.[6] Molyneux then enrolled at the [College of St Omer](/source/Colleges_of_St_Omer%2C_Bruges_and_Li%C3%A8ge) in France, and continued with the school when it relocated to [Bruges](/source/Bruges), Belgium.[3] He became a master there in 1764,[4] and had as one of his students [John Carroll](/source/John_Carroll_(archbishop_of_Baltimore)), the future [Archbishop of Baltimore](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Baltimore).[7]

Though he was [ordained](/source/Holy_orders_in_the_Catholic_Church) a [priest](/source/Priesthood_in_the_Catholic_Church),[4] Molyneux had not yet pronounced his final vows when he went to the United States as a [missionary](/source/Missionary). He arrived in [Maryland](/source/Maryland) in 1771,[3] where he worked in the [Jesuits' Maryland Mission](/source/Jesuits_in_the_United_States).[4] His ancestor, Richard Molyneux, had previously been a Jesuit who worked in the Maryland Mission.[8] The Bishop of Maryland, John Carroll, sought to appoint Molyneux his [coadjutor bishop](/source/Coadjutor_bishop), but Molyneux declined the post.[4]

## Missionary in America

Molyneux was in Maryland for only a short while before he went to [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia) on March 21, 1771.[6] When the [pastor](/source/Pastor) of [Old St. Joseph's Church](/source/Old_St._Joseph's_Church), Robert Harding, died in 1771, John Lewis was appointed to succeed him; however, Lewis very shortly thereafter left for Maryland. In his place,[9] Molyneux was named pastor of Old St. Joseph's in September 1772,[6] as well as of [Old St. Mary's Church](/source/St._Mary's_Roman_Catholic_Church_(Philadelphia)).[2] He had as his assistant [Ferdinand Farmer](/source/Ferdinand_Steinmeyer),[9] who ministered primarily to the German parishioners, traveling as far as [New York](/source/New_York_(state)) to do so.[6]

### New country and new diocese

Molyneux was pastor of [Old St. Mary's Church](/source/St._Mary's_Roman_Catholic_Church_(Philadelphia)) (pictured) and [Old St. Joseph's Church](/source/Old_St._Joseph's_Church) for 16 years

In 1773, [Pope Clement XIV](/source/Pope_Clement_XIV) ordered the worldwide [suppression of the Jesuit order](/source/Suppression_of_the_Society_of_Jesus).[2] At the time, there were 20 Jesuits working in the United States.[10] With the outbreak of the [American Revolutionary War](/source/American_Revolutionary_War) in 1775, Molyneux adopted a personal policies described as general neutrality,[11] as well as moderate patriotism.[5] Nonetheless, he aligned his parish with the Americans in the war of independence.[3] Four members of the [Continental Congress](/source/Continental_Congress), including [George Washington](/source/George_Washington) and [John Adams](/source/John_Adams), visited Old St. Joseph's during the war, and Molyneux celebrated the [requiem masses](/source/Requiem) for a French officer who drowned in the [Schuylkill River](/source/Schuylkill_River) and the Spanish ambassador.[12] He also presided over the funeral of the Spaniard [Juan de Miralles](/source/Juan_de_Miralles).[3] He celebrated masses to mark the anniversary of [American Independence](/source/Independence_Day_(United_States)), beginning in 1779.[12] Molyneux took the oath of allegiance to the [State of Pennsylvania](/source/Pennsylvania), and in 1783, signed a petition to have [Congress](/source/United_States_Congress) return to Philadelphia.[8] In 1782, Molyneux established the first [parochial school](/source/Parochial_school) in the United States, which would later go on to become St. Mary's Interparochial School.[13]

Molyneux supported the establishment of a Catholic [episcopal hierarchy](/source/Hierarchy_of_the_Catholic_Church) in the United States, so that it would be separate from the [ecclesiastical jurisdiction](/source/Ecclesiastical_jurisdiction) of the English bishops. Therefore, he encouraged John Carroll to accept the position of [Prefect Apostolic of the United States](/source/Prefect_Apostolic_of_the_United_States),[8] to which Carroll was appointed by the [Sacred Congregation *de Propaganda Fide*](/source/Sacred_Congregation_de_propaganda_fide) in 1784.[14] Molyneux then joined others in writing to Rome to request the elevation of the [apostolic prefecture](/source/Apostolic_prefecture) to the rank of [diocese](/source/Diocese) and the installation of an American bishop.[8] [Pope Pius VI](/source/Pope_Pius_VI) consented, and Carroll became the first Bishop of Baltimore in 1789.[15]

While pastor, Molyneux published two [catechisms](/source/Catechism), one in 1785 and another 1788, making him, so far as is known, the first American to edit a catechism.[16] He also gained a reputation as an eloquent [preacher](/source/Preacher).[4] He Molyneux tutored [Anne-César de La Luzerne](/source/Anne-C%C3%A9sar_de_La_Luzerne), the [French minister plenipotentiary to the United States](/source/List_of_ambassadors_of_France_to_the_United_States), in English.[17] From 1786 to 1788, Molyneux served as a trustee of the [University of the State of Pennsylvania](/source/University_of_the_State_of_Pennsylvania) by virtue of being the most senior Catholic cleric in Philadelphia.[5] He also became a member of the [American Philosophical Society](/source/American_Philosophical_Society).[18]

His pastorate of the two churches came to an end in February 1788,[2] and he was succeeded by [Dominic Lawrence Graessel](/source/Dominic_Laurence_Graessel).[19] Molyneux then left Philadelphia for the Jesuits' Maryland missions, first going to [Bohemia Manor](/source/St._Francis_Xavier_Church_(Warwick%2C_Maryland)).[20] John Carroll then appointed him the [vicar general](/source/Vicar_general) for the southern district of the diocese,[21] and he was stationed at [Newtown Manor](/source/St._Francis_Xavier_Church_and_Newtown_Manor_House_Historic_District).[20]

## President of Georgetown College

Early depiction of [Old North](/source/Old_North_Building) (right) and Old South (left)

Molyneux became the second [president](/source/List_of_presidents_of_Georgetown_University) of [Georgetown University](/source/Georgetown_University) on June 14, 1793, succeeding [Robert Plunkett](/source/Robert_Plunkett). John Carroll had previously sought to appoint him as the school's first president, but Molyneux declined.[22] Molyneux immediately undertook a project to expand the college, purchasing two acres (0.81 hectares) of land,[23] located to the north of the original Old South building. This provided room for a second building as well as space for recreation for the students.[23] Construction on the [Old North](/source/Old_North_Building) building, which was modeled after [Nassau Hall](/source/Nassau_Hall) at [Princeton University](/source/Princeton_University), began in 1794.[24] Funding for construction of the building was unsteady,[25] as the school was unable to raise adequate money through donations by Maryland Catholics.[24] As a result, a Jesuit estate on [Double Pipe Creek](/source/Double_Pipe_Creek) was sold to pay for the building, and beef was also offered as [barter](/source/Barter).[23]

After delays resulting from this insecurity in funding, Old North opened in spring 1797.[25] To support the increasing enrollment, the building quintupled the dormitory space on campus, and housed a [chapel](/source/Chapel) and several classrooms. Compared to the small structures and simple architecture of the city at the time, Old North was monumental,[24] and was described as one of the "grandest works in Washington, after the [Capitol Building](/source/United_States_Capitol)."[26] In late 1796, Molyneux submitted his resignation to John Carroll because of his declining health; [Louis William DuBourg](/source/Louis_William_Valentine_DuBourg) was named as his successor in October of that year.[25] Upon leaving office,[20] Molyneux returned to Newtown Manor for two years.[27]

## Superior of the Maryland Jesuits

When [Pius VII](/source/Pope_Pius_VII) was elected [pope](/source/Pope), Emperor [Paul I of Russia](/source/Paul_I_of_Russia) requested the formal restoration of the Jesuit order. In response, the pope issued the [bull](/source/Papal_bull) *Catholicæ Fidei* on March 7, 1801, which officially permitted the Society of Jesus to continue existing in the [Russian Empire](/source/Russian_Empire).[28] In turn, the members of the Jesuits' former English province sought the pope's permission to be received back into the Society, as members of the Russian province. They pope gave them verbal approval and expressed his desire for the worldwide restoration of the Jesuits, but did not commit this to writing, as the political enemies of the Society remained powerful.[29]

While superior of the Jesuits, Molyneux lived at [St. Thomas Manor](/source/St._Thomas_Manor).

Seeing these developments, Bishop Carroll instructed his coadjutor, [Leonard Neale](/source/Leonard_Neale), (both former Jesuits) to write [Gabriel Gruber](/source/Gabriel_Gruber), the [Jesuit Superior General](/source/Superior_General_of_the_Society_of_Jesus), to request permission for the Maryland Jesuits to join with the Russian province. Gruber responded that he believed that the pope's [*oraculum vivæ vocis*](/source/Oracula_viv%C3%A6_vocis) approbation of the Jesuits in Russia authorized him to quietly admit Jesuits from anywhere in the world to the Russian province.[29] However, Bishop Carroll was wary that the papal permission was addressed only to Russia and was not memorialized in writing, which would allow a future pope who was hostile to the Jesuits to declare the American Jesuits insubordinate to the order of suppression. Therefore, he convened all the former Jesuits at [St. Thomas Manor](/source/St._Thomas_Manor),[30] and instructed them that they must each individually choose whether they would accept the risk of re-joining the Society.[31]

All the Jesuits elected to join the Russian province, and Carroll appointed Molyneux [superior](/source/Superior_(hierarchy)) of the Jesuits' Maryland Mission on June 21, 1805, with the powers of [provincial superior](/source/Provincial_superior) over the Jesuits in the United States.[31] As the first American superior of the restored Society, he resumed the position last held by John Lewis.[32] As superior, he took up residence at St. Thomas Manor.[20] One of his first actions was to oversee the establishment of a Jesuit [novitiate](/source/Novitiate) at Georgetown on October 10, 1806,[33] and a [scholasticate](/source/Jesuit_formation) two years after that. Five Jesuits from the Russian province were sent to Maryland to work and teach at Georgetown.[34]

### Second presidency of Georgetown

In addition to his duties as superior, Molyneux again resumed the presidency of Georgetown on October 1, 1806,[7] replacing Bishop Leonard Neale.[34] In so doing, Georgetown College officially became a Jesuit institution. By this time, [St. Mary's Seminary and College](/source/St._Mary's_Seminary_and_University) in [Baltimore](/source/Baltimore), the second Catholic college in the United States, had grown and was competing with Georgetown for students. Molyneux saw that progress continued on Old North,[7] which, though structurally complete, remained unfinished in the interior; only its third floor was able to be used. Lacking funds, the Jesuits themselves assisted the plasterer, such as by making [mortar](/source/Mortar_(masonry)). Though the enrollment remained low, progress on the college's facilities improved the public's perception of the school.[35]

Molyneux's health began to fail, and he exhibited [dropsy](/source/Edema). He resigned the presidency,[36] and shortly thereafter, died at Georgetown College on December 9, 1808.[37] He had appointed [Charles Neale](/source/Charles_Neale) to succeed him as superior of the Jesuits;[38] [Francis Neale](/source/Francis_Neale) became acting president of the college until [William Matthews](/source/William_Matthews_(priest))' appointment.[39] He is buried in the [Jesuit Community Cemetery](/source/Jesuit_Community_Cemetery) at the college.[37] Upon his death, John Carroll recounted Molyneux as his "oldest friend" after his childhood friend [Charles Carroll of Carrollton](/source/Charles_Carroll_of_Carrollton).[38]

[Saint Joseph's University](/source/Saint_Joseph's_University) in Philadelphia created the Molyneux-Lilly Award, named for Robert Molyneux and Thomas Lilly, both Jesuits. The annual award is given to an educator in Philadelphia's Catholic schools.[40]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-georgetown_2-0)** [Georgetown](/source/Georgetown_(Washington%2C_D.C.)) was a separately chartered city within the [District of Columbia](/source/District_of_Columbia_(until_1871)) until the consolidation of the district's governments into a single entity, [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.), with the [Organic Act of 1871](/source/District_of_Columbia_Organic_Act_of_1871).[1]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-surname_4-0)** Molyneux's surname was spelled in some writings as Molyneaux or Molineaux.[2]

## References

### Citations

1. **[^](#cite_ref-dodd40_1-0)** [Dodd 1909](#CITEREFDodd1909), p. 40

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-griffin5_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-griffin5_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-griffin5_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-griffin5_3-3) [Griffin 1882](#CITEREFGriffin1882), p. 5

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-burton59_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-burton59_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-burton59_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-burton59_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-burton59_5-4) [Burton 1981](#CITEREFBurton1981), p. 59

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-treacy160_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-treacy160_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-treacy160_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-treacy160_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-treacy160_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-treacy160_6-5) [Treacy 1889](#CITEREFTreacy1889), p. 160

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Penn_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Penn_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Penn_7-2) ["Robert Molyneux"](https://archives.upenn.edu/exhibits/penn-people/biography/robert-molyneux). *University of Pennsylvania Archives & Records Center*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190723214951/https://archives.upenn.edu/exhibits/penn-people/biography/robert-molyneux) from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-hurley273_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-hurley273_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-hurley273_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-hurley273_8-3) [Hurley 1938](#CITEREFHurley1938), p. 273

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-shea33_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-shea33_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-shea33_9-2) [Shea 1891](#CITEREFShea1891), p. 33

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-malone82_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-malone82_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-malone82_10-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-malone82_10-3) [Malone 1934](#CITEREFMalone1934), p. 82

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-griffin4_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-griffin4_11-1) [Griffin 1882](#CITEREFGriffin1882), p. 4

1. **[^](#cite_ref-trecy133_12-0)** [Treacy 1889](#CITEREFTreacy1889), p. 133

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hurley275_13-0)** [Hurley 1938](#CITEREFHurley1938), p. 275

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-hurley277_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-hurley277_14-1) [Hurley 1938](#CITEREFHurley1938), p. 277

1. **[^](#cite_ref-joyce16-17_15-0)** Joyce, Daniel R.J. (Summer 2015). ["A Jesuit's Perspective: Education Links Pope Francis, Philadelphia and SJU"](https://sites.sju.edu/magazine/files/2017/11/Summer-2015-Alumni-Magazine-1.pdf) (PDF). *Saint Joseph's University Magazine*. pp. 16–17. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200323043616/https://sites.sju.edu/magazine/files/2017/11/Summer-2015-Alumni-Magazine-1.pdf) (PDF) from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-shea223_16-0)** [Shea 1888](#CITEREFShea1888), p. 223

1. **[^](#cite_ref-shea336_17-0)** [Shea 1888](#CITEREFShea1888), p. 336

1. **[^](#cite_ref-christiandoctrine_18-0)** [Scannell 1909](#CITEREFScannell1909)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hurley278_19-0)** [Hurley 1938](#CITEREFHurley1938), p. 278

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hurley276_20-0)** [Hurley 1938](#CITEREFHurley1938), p. 276

1. **[^](#cite_ref-griffin6_21-0)** [Griffin 1882](#CITEREFGriffin1882), p. 6

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-shea524_22-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-shea524_22-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-shea524_22-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-shea524_22-3) [Shea 1888](#CITEREFShea1888), p. 524

1. **[^](#cite_ref-shea395_23-0)** [Shea 1888](#CITEREFShea1888), p. 395

1. **[^](#cite_ref-curran31_24-0)** [Curran 1993](#CITEREFCurran1993), p. 31

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-shea20_25-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-shea20_25-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-shea20_25-2) [Shea 1891](#CITEREFShea1891), p. 20

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-curran46_26-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-curran46_26-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-curran46_26-2) [Curran 1993](#CITEREFCurran1993), p. 46

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-curran47_27-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-curran47_27-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-curran47_27-2) [Curran 1993](#CITEREFCurran1993), p. 47

1. **[^](#cite_ref-architecture_28-0)** Toporoff, Andrew (February 8, 2012). ["Listening to Architecture: What Georgetown University Says Today"](https://thehoya.com/listening-to-architecture-what-georgetown-university-says-today/). *[The Hoya](/source/The_Hoya)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181118101401/https://thehoya.com/listening-to-architecture-what-georgetown-university-says-today/) from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-treacy1612_29-0)** [Treacy 1889](#CITEREFTreacy1889), p. 161

1. **[^](#cite_ref-shea516_30-0)** [Shea 1888](#CITEREFShea1888), p. 516

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-shea517_31-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-shea517_31-1) [Shea 1888](#CITEREFShea1888), p. 517

1. **[^](#cite_ref-shea522_32-0)** [Shea 1888](#CITEREFShea1888), p. 522

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-shea523_33-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-shea523_33-1) [Shea 1888](#CITEREFShea1888), p. 523

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ramspacher300_34-0)** [Ramspacher 1962](#CITEREFRamspacher1962), p. 300

1. **[^](#cite_ref-shea525_35-0)** [Shea 1888](#CITEREFShea1888), p. 525

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-shea30_36-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-shea30_36-1) [Shea 1891](#CITEREFShea1891), p. 30

1. **[^](#cite_ref-shea34_37-0)** [Shea 1891](#CITEREFShea1891), p. 34

1. **[^](#cite_ref-shea35_38-0)** [Shea 1891](#CITEREFShea1891), p. 35

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mosley291_39-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mosley291_39-1) [Mosley 1906](#CITEREFMosley1906), p. 291

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-shea627_40-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-shea627_40-1) [Shea 1888](#CITEREFShea1888), p. 627

1. **[^](#cite_ref-curran404_41-0)** [Curran 1993](#CITEREFCurran1993), p. 404

1. **[^](#cite_ref-molyneuxaward_42-0)** ["Sister Karen Dietrich SSJ Receives The Molyneux-Lilly Award January 25, 2018"](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-from-the-Sisters-of-Saint-Joseph--Chestnut-Hill--Philadelphia.html?soid=1123910691374&aid=aVWO62BJTNQ). *Sisters of Saint Joseph*. February 13, 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190115132443/https://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-from-the-Sisters-of-Saint-Joseph--Chestnut-Hill--Philadelphia.html?soid=1123910691374&aid=aVWO62BJTNQ) from the original on January 15, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2020.

### Sources

- Burton, David H. (January 1981). "The Jesuit as American Patriot: Fathers Robert Harding and Robert Molyneux". *[Pennsylvania History: A Journal of Mid-Atlantic Studies](/source/Pennsylvania_History_(journal))*. **48** (1): 51–61. [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [27772709](https://www.jstor.org/stable/27772709).

- Curran, Robert Emmett (1993). [*The Bicentennial History of Georgetown University: From Academy to University, 1789–1889*](https://books.google.com/books?id=wTnIE1HixpYC&pg=PA46). Vol. 1. Washington, D.C.: [Georgetown University Press](/source/Georgetown_University_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-87840-485-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-87840-485-8). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200328015032/https://books.google.com/books?id=wTnIE1HixpYC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA46) from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020 – via Google Books.

- Dodd, Walter Farleigh (1909). [*The Government of the District of Columbia: A Study in Federal and Municipal Administration*](https://archive.org/details/governmentdistr01doddgoog). Washington, D.C.: John Byrne & Co. p. [40](https://archive.org/details/governmentdistr01doddgoog/page/n46). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [2485653](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/2485653). Retrieved March 23, 2020 – via Internet Archive.

- [Griffin, Martin I. J.](/source/Martin_Ignatius_Joseph_Griffin) (1882). [*History of "Old St. Joseph's"*](https://archive.org/details/historyofoldstjo00grif/page/4). Philadelphia: I.C.B.U. Journal Print. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [74848131](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/74848131). Retrieved March 23, 2020 – via Internet Archive.

- Hurley, Philip S. (October 1938). ["Father Robert Molyneux"](http://jesuitarchives.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/woodstock-067.pdf) (PDF). *[Woodstock Letters](/source/Woodstock_Letters)*. **LXVII** (3): 271–292. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200322203504/http://jesuitarchives.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/woodstock-067.pdf) (PDF) from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2020 – via Jesuit Archives.

- Malone, Dumas, ed. (1934). [*Dictionary of American Biography*](https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofamer13amer). Vol. 13. New York: [Charles Scribner's Sons](/source/Charles_Scribner's_Sons). pp. [81](https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofamer13amer/page/81)–82 – via Internet Archive.

- Mosley, Joseph (September 1906). [Devitt, Edward I.](/source/Edward_I._Devitt) (ed.). "Letters of Father Joseph Mosley, S. J., and Some Extracts from His Diary". *Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia*. **17** (3): 289–311. [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [44207979](https://www.jstor.org/stable/44207979).

- Ramspacher, Joseph H. (July 1962). ["Major Superiors in the Northern United States"](http://jesuitarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/woodstock-091.pdf) (PDF). *[Woodstock Letters](/source/Woodstock_Letters)*. **XCI** (3): 300–303. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200211225744/http://jesuitarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/woodstock-091.pdf) (PDF) from the original on February 11, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020 – via Jesuit Archives.

- Scannell, Thomas Bartholomew (1909). "[Christian Doctrine](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Christian_Doctrine)". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). *[Catholic Encyclopedia](/source/Catholic_Encyclopedia)*. Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

- [Shea, John Gilmary](/source/John_Gilmary_Shea) (1888). [*Life and Times of the Most Rev. John Carroll*](https://archive.org/details/lifetimesofmostr00shea/page/n8/). New York: John G. Shea. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [496261990](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/496261990) – via Internet Archive.

- [Shea, John Gilmary](/source/John_Gilmary_Shea) (1891). ["Chapter II: Rev. Robert Molyneux"](https://books.google.com/books?id=YdRAAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA19-IA1). *Memorial of the First Century of Georgetown College, D.C.: Comprising a History of Georgetown University*. Vol. 3. Washington, D.C.: [P. F. Collier](/source/Peter_Fenelon_Collier). pp. 20–22, 33–35. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [960066298](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/960066298). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200327211959/https://books.google.com/books?id=YdRAAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA19-IA1) from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020 – via Google Books.

- Treacy, William P. (1889). [*Old Catholic Maryland and Its Early Jesuit Missionaries*](https://archive.org/details/oldcatholicmaryl00trea/page/160/). Swedesboro, New Jersey. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [865943551](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/865943551) – via Internet Archive.{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_location_missing_publisher))

## External links

- Molyneux, Robert (July 1890) [Delivered in 1786]. ["Funeral Sermon on the Death of the Rev. Ferdinand Farmer, Who Departed This Life the 17th of August, 1786, in the 66th Year of His Age"](https://archive.org/details/sim_american-catholic-historical-researches_1890-07_7_3/page/124). *The American Catholic Historical Researches*. **7** (3): 124–128. [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [44373670](https://www.jstor.org/stable/44373670).

Catholic Church titles Preceded by John Lewis 4th Pastor of Old St. Joseph's Church 1772—1788 Succeeded by Dominic Lawrence Graessel Pastor of Old St. Mary's Church 1772—1788 Preceded by John Lewis 21st Superior of the Jesuit Maryland Mission 1805—1808 Succeeded by Charles Neale Academic offices Preceded by Robert Plunkett 2nd President of Georgetown College 1793—1796 Succeeded by Louis William Dubourg Preceded by Leonard Neale 5th President of Georgetown College 1806—1808 Succeeded by Francis Neale

v t e Presidents of Georgetown University Plunkett (1791–1793) Molyneux (1793–1796) DuBourg (1796–1798) L. Neale (1798–1806) Molyneux (1806–1808) F. Neale (1809) Matthews (1809) F. Neale (1809–1812) Grassi (1812–1817) B. Fenwick (1817) Kohlmann (1817–1820) E. Fenwick (1820–1825) B. Fenwick (1825) Dubuisson (1825–1826) Feiner (1826–1829) Beschter (1829) T. Mulledy (1829–1837) McSherry (1838–1840) Lopez (1840) Ryder (1840–1845) S. Mulledy (1845) T. Mulledy (1845–1848) Ryder (1848–1851) Stonestreet (1851–1852) Maguire (1853–1858) Early (1858–1866) Maguire (1866–1870) Early (1870–1873) P. Healy (1873–1882) Doonan (1882–1888) Richards (1888–1898) Whitney (1898–1901) Daugherty (1901–1905) Buel (1905–1908) Himmel (1908–1912) Donlon (1912–1918) Creeden (1918–1924) Lyons (1924–1928) Nevils (1928–1935) O'Leary (1935–1942) Gorman (1942–1949) Guthrie (1949–1952) Bunn (1952–1964) Campbell (1964–1969) Henle (1969–1976) T. Healy (1976–1989) O'Donovan (1989–2001) DeGioia (2001–2024) Groves (interim, 2024–present) Peñalver (elect, taking office 2026)

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Biography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Biography)
- [Catholicism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Catholicism)
- [Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Education)
- [England](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:England)
- [Philadelphia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Philadelphia)
- [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:United_States)

Authority control databases International VIAF WorldCat National United States Other Open Library Yale LUX

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Robert Molyneux](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Molyneux) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Molyneux?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.