MAURICE FRANCIS EGAN
EGAN, MAURICE FRANCIS, LL.D., professor of the English language and literature in the Catholic university, Washington, District of Columbia; journalist, author, poet and critic, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1852. His father, Maurice Egan, began his education in the college of the Christian Brothers at Thurles. After his arrival from Ireland, he became an expert in the construction of iron work, and directed much of the construction of the early United States iron clads. He was known for his "generosity and love of literature." His mother, Margaret MacMullen Egan, born in Philadelphia, in 1819, and still living in 1905, exercised an ennobling influence over her son, and he recognizes gratefully the moral and spiritual benefit he derived from this source. He is a grandson of Brian Gerald Maurice Egan, and a descendant of the Chevalier MacEgan de Florent, who served in the Irish Brigade, under Louis XV. His most distinguished ancestor was Francis MacEagan of the Irish Brigade in France and India; one of his ancestors was with Count Rochambeau in the United States.
His health in his childhood was somewhat delicate. His taste was for books and the drama; and for walking and riding as recreation. Poor health was a drawback to his education, delaying his courses of study; but after a preparatory course at St. Philip's academy and with tutors he was graduated at La Salle college, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1873, and took his A.M. in 1875. He pursued post-graduate work under the direction of Mr. Henry Peterson of Philadelphia. He studied "law with John I. Rogers, Esq., of Philadelphia, and subsequently entered Georgetown College, District of Columbia. He became a contributor to "Appleton's Journal" and the "Saturday Evening Post"; and deciding to be a journalist, successively edited, in New York city, the "Catholic Review," and the "Freeman's Journal."
Dr. Egan has found his vocation in teaching, in literature, and in journalism. He was called to the chair of English literature at
