John A. Ryan

About

Catholic theologian who guided the country through huge societal changes at the turn of the 20th century.

Before Fame

He studied at Catholic University of America, eventually earning a Ph.D., at a time when slaves were newly emancipated and the Industrial Revolution was beginning.

Trivia

Seeing the debate on social reform as individualism against collectivism, he found a middle ground in natural law theory that brought out the Catholic Church.

Family Life

He was born in a Irish Catholic homesteader family in Vermillion, Minnesota.

Associated With

Thomas Merton was another influential Catholic thinker and author.