Presidents list  Archives' site index  Biography Index   

  Fr. Joseph Butler was one of the most beloved presidents of the college. Fr. Joseph was born in Galbally, Ireland, in 1838. When he first came to the United States in the early 1860's he was involved in business but eventually entered the Franciscan Brothers in Brooklyn, where he taught for twelve years at St. Francis College. He wanted to become a priest so, with four other men of his community, was granted permission to go to St. Bonaventure to join the Custody of the Immaculate Conception. On May 7, 1876, he was received into the Franciscan Order. On May 16, 1880 he took his solemn vows and a month later was ordained. Fr. Joseph taught at St. Bonaventure from his arrival.  Shortly after his ordination he was made vice-president of the college and seminary and held that position until elected president in 1887.  

    When Fr. Joseph became president it also became necessary to expand the campus physically.  He began a building program from which arose Alumni Hall which remained on campus until 1961.  Alumni Hall contained a gym, library and cafeteria.  In addition Fr. Butler is responsible for some of the first curriculum changes since St. Bonaventure began. ( Curriculum Description  ) It was during Fr. Joseph's terms as president that the publication of the Laurel began.  Students enjoyed a well-rounded program of extra-curricular activities, especially sports, as more time was devoted to baseball and football. By 1903 , there was a full-grown rivalry in athletics between St. Bonaventure and Niagara University.  

Butler Memorial Gymnasium  More on Fr. "Joe"

Previous president    Next president

Biographical Information:

NAME: BUTLER, JOSEPH

OTHER NAMES/ SPELLINGS NONE

DATE OF BIRTH: 1838-08-13

 PLACE OF BIRTH: GALBALLY, IRELAND

RECEPTION INTO ORDER:1876-05-07

ORDINATION DATE: 1880-06-16

WHERE ORDAINED: UNKNOWN

SERVED AT SBU:1880-1911

SERVED/ PRES: 1887-1911

SERVED ELSEWHERE: TAUGHT-12 YEARS ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE\VICE-PRESIDENT OF SBU FROM 1880 UNTIL 1887\FORMED ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AT SBU ON JUNE 21,1888

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1ST MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE AWARDED BY COLLEGE WAS CONFERRED ON JOHN HEWITT OF ALLEGANY DURING PRESIDENCY\

DEATH DATE: 1911-07-25

BURIAL PLACE: ALLEGANY, N.Y. (FRIARS PLOT)

BUILDINGS NAMED AFTER: BUTLER MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM AT SAINT BONAVENTURE-CORNERSTONE LAID JUNE 21,1916. Statue in front of Library 

BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED: 1888-ALUMNI HALL\1891-ENLARGED MONASTERY \ ENLARGED SEMINARY\1900-ERECTED COLLEGE BUILDING\POST OFFICE BEGAN 1907

BUILDINGS DEDICATED: BLESSED EXTENDED MONASTERY ON 1892-02-24

LOCATION OF PHOTOS: ARCHIVES\FOUNDER'S ROOM

Bibliography:

Angelo,  Mark V., OFM. The History of St. Bonaventure University. St. Bonaventure, NY: Franciscan Institute, 1961. 

Hammon, Walter,  OFM. The First Bonaventure Men. Paterson, NJ: St. Anthony Guild Press, 1958. 

St. Bonaventure University Archives Presidents Files