Thomas A. Finlay facts for kids

Thomas Aloysius Finlay (born 1848, died 1940) was an Irish Catholic priest. He was also an economist, a philosopher, and an editor of magazines. He was a very important person in Ireland, helping to set up new ways for farmers to work together.

Growing Up in Ireland

Thomas Finlay was born on July 6, 1848, near a place called Lanesborough in Ireland. His father, William Finlay, was an engineer. His mother, Maria Magan, was from County Cavan. Thomas's father had changed his religion to Catholicism. Thomas had a nephew, also named Thomas Finlay, who became a politician later.

Becoming a Jesuit Priest

When Thomas was 18, in 1866, he joined the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. He studied at Milltown Park in Dublin. After that, he traveled to other countries to continue his studies. He went to Saint-Acheul in France and the Gregorian University in Rome.

Because of political changes in Italy, he moved to Maria Laach Abbey in Germany. There, he learned about farming methods used in Prussia. He also learned about the Raiffeisenbank system, which helps people work together to save and lend money. He became interested in biology too. In 1873, he returned to Ireland.

Early Career and Writing

From 1873 to 1876, Finlay taught at Crescent College in Limerick. He also started a magazine called Catholic Ireland. Later, this magazine became known as the Irish Monthly.

In 1877, he moved to St Beuno's College in Wales. People there noticed he spoke directly and wore simple clothes. He met the famous poet Gerard Manley Hopkins there. Finlay started another college magazine called The Lyceum.

In 1880, Thomas Finlay became a priest. The next year, in 1881, he became the head of St Stanislaus College in Tullabeg.

Life in Dublin

Later, Thomas Finlay moved to University College, Dublin. This was a Catholic university. In 1883, he became a professor there. He taught subjects like mental and moral science. He was also in charge of Belvedere College in Dublin for a time.

Finlay was a professor of different subjects at University College. From 1903 to 1930, he taught classics, philosophy, and political economy.

Helping Farmers and Education

Thomas Finlay worked with Horace Plunkett to create the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society. This group helped farmers work together. He also helped set up the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction. This department helped improve farming and technical skills in Ireland.

Finlay was also a Commissioner of National Education. He led a committee about education for older students. He was also the chairman of the people who looked after the National Library of Ireland. Between 1911 and 1913, he was the president of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland.

More Magazines

Finlay was involved in starting and editing several other magazines. He helped with a second magazine called The Lyceum. He also worked on the New Ireland Review and its later version, Studies : An Irish Quarterly Review.

In 1896, he started the Irish Homestead magazine. This magazine was for the co-operative movement, which helped people work together. He edited it until 1905. He also helped start the Irish Messenger of the Sacred Heart.