{{Short description|Roman Catholic bishop}} {{about||the Catholic chaplain in the American Civil War|William T. O'Higgins}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} '''William O'Higgins''' (1794–1853), was an Irish Roman Catholic priest and professor, who served as Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise|Ardagh and Clonmacnoise]], from 1829 until his death in 1853.<ref>[https://ardaghdiocese.org/historical-reference-sense-mission/ Historical Reference : A Sense of Mission] www.ardaghdiocese.org</ref>
O'Higgins taught English and theology in France, the [[Austrian Empire]] and Ireland.
== Biography == O'Higgins was born in Barragh Beg, [[Drumlish]], [[County Longford]] on August 1, 1794,<ref>[http://www.drumlishparish.ie/uploads/documents/MissionaryHistory.pdf Most Rev. Dr. William O’Higgins] Missionary History, Drumlish Parish, www.drumlishparish.ie.</ref> His nephew was [[William T. O'Higgins]] who served as a chaplain in the [[American Civil War|American Civil war]].
O'Higgins attended school in Longford and Leitrim. In 1812, he went to Paris to study for the priesthood at the [[Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary|Picpus Seminary]]. In 1815, O'Higgins assisted in the reopening of the [[Irish College in Paris]], closed since the [[French Revolution]].,
O'Higgins was ordained in 1817 and graduated from the [[Sorbonne University]] with an MA in 1818, ranking first in his BD exam.<ref>[https://www.longfordleader.ie/news/news/574250/bishop-william-ohiggins-statue-is-unveiled-in-drumlish.html Bishop William O’Higgins statue is unveiled in Drumlish] by Fr. Liam Courtney, Local News, Longford Leader, Sept 19, 2020.</ref> He then held the Chair of English at the Irish College, where he was Professor of Theology.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} O'Higgins taught at the [[University of Vienna]], before going to Rome. There he earned [[Maxima cum laude]] for his Doctorate of Divinity, following the defence of his thesis before the future [[Pope Gregory XVI]]. Returning to Ireland O'Higgins taught at [[Maynooth College]], where he held the chair of [[dogmatic theology]].
O'Higgins was elevated to the Ardagh and Clonmacnoise bishopric,<ref>[https://www.drumlishheritageandhistorysociety.ie/bishop-of-ardagh/ Bishop of Ardagh] Drumlish Heritage and History Society.</ref> following the death of Bishop [[James Magauran]] in 1829, O'Higgins served in this post until his own death.
A supporter of [[Irish nationalism|Irish Nationalism]] and Catholic emancipation in Ireland, O'Higgins gaelicised his surname, adding the O in recognition of his friend [[Daniel O'Connell]]. In 1840, O'Higgins laid the foundation stone for [[St Mel's Cathedral]], Longford,<ref>[https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/an-irishman-s-diary-1.1238903 An Irishman's Diary] Irish Times, January 4, 2010.</ref> the cathedral was finished by his successor Rt. Rev. Dr. John Kilduff.
O'Higgins died in 1853.
== Legacy == In 2020 a statue of O'Higgins by sculptor [[Dony MacManus]], commissioned by the Bishop William O'Higgins Heritage Project<ref>[https://visualartists.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Bishop-OHiggins-Commission-Brief.pdf Bishop O'Higgins Commission Brief] www.visualartists.ie</ref> was unveiled outside St. Mary's Church, Drumlish.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the dedication ceremony was delayed until August 28, 2021, by Bishop [[Francis Duffy (bishop)|Francis Duffy]].<ref>[https://www.shannonside.ie/news/special-ceremony-in-drumlish-for-famous-historical-bishop-188767 Special ceremony in Drumlish today for famous historical Bishop statue] - News, Shannonside Radio, August 28, 2021.</ref>
==References== <references/>
{{DEFAULTSORT:OHiggins, William}} [[Category:1794 births]] [[Category:1853 deaths]] [[Category:People from County Longford]] [[Category:Roman Catholic bishops of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise]] [[Category:University of Paris alumni]]