James Curley, SJ (1796-1889) was born in County Roscommon, Ireland and came to the U.S. in 1817.
Pre-Georgetown Career
He first worked as a bookkeeper and clerk in a Philadelphia grocery store before teaching mathematics at a county school in Frederick, Maryland. In 1826 he began studying Latin at the Washington Seminary (now Gonzaga College High School) to prepare himself for priesthood and applied for admission to the Society of Jesus when the school closed in 1827. From there he began his Jesuit formation, briefly teaching at the Frederick novitiate before taking first vows in 1829.
Work at Georgetown
In 1831, Father Curley came to Georgetown and taught a variety of subjects (e.g., astronomy, physics, chemistry, botany, and natural philosophy) until 1879. He was instrumental in establishing the College Observatory and greenhouse (1840s). He was ordained in 1833 and took his final vows in 1841. Serving as Provincial Consultor (1847-1850) and Socius (1850-1860), he remained at Georgetown until his death in 1889.1
- 1"Biographical Note." Finding Aid for the James Curley, S.J. Papers, GTM-GAMMS42, Booth Family Center for Special Collections, Georgetown University. https://findingaids.library.georgetown.edu/repositories/15/resources/10285
