John Augustine Zahm facts for kids

John Augustine Zahm (born June 14, 1851 – died November 10, 1921) was a Holy Cross priest. He was also a talented author, scientist, and explorer. He was born in New Lexington, Ohio, USA, and passed away in Munich, Germany. Father Zahm was known for his many interests and his important work.

Education and Early Career

John Zahm started studying at the University of Notre Dame in 1867. He graduated with high honors in 1871. After finishing his studies in theology, he became a priest in 1875. Notre Dame then hired him as a science teacher. Even though he taught science, he was also very interested in literature and writing.

At just 25 years old, Father Zahm became the Vice President of Notre Dame. He held this important job for nine years. In 1892, he wrote a book called Sound and Music. In 1895, he received a special honor from Pope Leo XIII, who recognized him as a Doctor of Philosophy. Father Zahm strongly believed that Notre Dame should become a research university. This meant it would focus on advanced studies and new discoveries.

Writing and Science

Father Zahm wrote many important books and articles. He used his strong science background to show that God and the Catholic faith could exist alongside scientific ideas. He wrote for magazines like American Catholic Quarterly and Catholic World.

He also started his own magazine called Catholic Science and Catholic Scientists. Between 1891 and 1896, he published many works on this topic. His most famous book was Evolution and Dogma in 1896. In this book, Zahm argued that the Catholic Church could accept the idea of evolution. However, he believed it should not be based only on Darwin's theory of natural selection. In 1898, the Vatican decided not to approve his book. Father Zahm respected this decision and stopped writing about the connection between religion and science.

Father Zahm used a pen name, H. J. Mozans, for some of his works. His books were translated into several languages, including French, Italian, and Spanish. They were read all over North and South America, and in Europe. Some of his well-known books include Woman in Science and Great Inspirers.

Explorer and Friend of Presidents

Father Zahm was also a great explorer. He wrote a trilogy of books about his travels in South America. These books were titled "Following the Conquistadores." The individual books were Up the Orinoco and Down the Magdalena (1910), Along the Andes and Down the Amazon (1912), and In South America's Southland (1916).

He was also a big fan of the famous Italian poet Dante Alighieri. Father Zahm helped build one of the largest collections of Dante's books in the U.S. at Notre Dame.

Father Zahm became good friends with Theodore Roosevelt, who was the 26th President of the United States. President Roosevelt also loved reading Dante in Italian. It was Father Zahm who convinced President Roosevelt to go on a big expedition to South America. This trip became known as the Roosevelt–Rondon Scientific Expedition. It included Roosevelt's son, Kermit, and Colonel Cândido Rondon. They explored the Rio da Dúvida, which means "River of Doubt." This river is now called the Roosevelt River.

Death and Legacy

Father Zahm had planned to write a book about the history and archaeology of the Holy Land. Sadly, he passed away from pneumonia in a hospital in Munich, Germany. He was on his way to the Middle East when he died. His unfinished book, From Berlin to Baghdad and Babylon, was found and published after his death.

Works Authored

Father Zahm used several pen names, but his main one was H. J. Mozans.

Books

• Sound and Music (1892) (Full Text)
• Evolution and Dogma (1896)
• Up the Orinoco and Down the Magdalena (1910) (Full Text)
• Along the Andes and Down the Amazon (1912) (Full Text). With an introduction by Theodore Roosevelt.
• The Quest for El Dorado (1917) (Full Text)
• Woman in Science (1913) (Full Text)

Articles (selection)

• J. A. Zahm as "A. H. Johns". "Woman's Work in Bible Study and Translation", in The Catholic World, New York, Vol. 95/June 1912

See also

In Spanish: John Augustine Zahm para niños

• Zahm Hall, a men's residence hall at Notre Dame named after Fr. Zahm
• List of Roman Catholic scientist-clerics