Far from a Fossil: Monsignor James Andrew Corcoran and the Latin Language
The life of Monsignor James Andrew Corcoran (1820-1889) reflects an era when the Latin language was in widespread use among Catholic scholars, theologians, and prelates, not only in official gatherings and pronouncements but also at times in scholarly works and occasionally even in informal interact...
| Published in: | American catholic studies |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
American Catholic Historical Society
[2020]
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| In: |
American catholic studies
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| IxTheo Classification: | CF Christianity and Science FB Theological education KAH Church history 1648-1913; modern history KBQ North America KDB Roman Catholic Church RB Church office; congregation |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Resolving-System) Volltext (Verlag) |
| Summary: | The life of Monsignor James Andrew Corcoran (1820-1889) reflects an era when the Latin language was in widespread use among Catholic scholars, theologians, and prelates, not only in official gatherings and pronouncements but also at times in scholarly works and occasionally even in informal interactions. Corcoran himself was the quintessential Latinist of this era in the United States. His life reveals a time, much different from today, when being a Latin scholar meant not only familiarity with the canon of classical literature but also the ability to write and to speak Latin correctly. Corcoran's Latin compositions include poetry, honorary inscriptions, and personal as well as professional letters, but Corcoran also distinguished himself for what might be called secretarial Latin, i.e., composing, editing, and organizing the abundant materials associated with ecclesiastical synods and councils. The numerous writings Corcoran contributed to the American Catholic Quarterly Review enable us to detect some of the reasons for his robust commitment to the use and study of Latin, but they also enable us to glimpse that the role of Latin within schools, colleges, and seminaries was changing. |
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| ISSN: | 2161-8534 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: American catholic studies
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1353/acs.2020.0035 |