The Biographical Dictionary of America/Allen, Edward Patrick

ALLEN, Edward Patrick, R.C. bishop, was born at Lowell, Mass., March 17, 1852; son of John and Mary (Egan) Allen. He received a public school education and was graduated at Mount St. Mary's, Emmittsburg, Md., with the degree A.M. in 1878. In 1879 he commenced his theological course at the seminary connected with the college, was initiated into minor orders in 1880, ordained deacon in September, 1881, and elevated to the priesthood, Dec. 17, 1881. Father Allen remained at Mount St. Mary's college as professor until the spring of 1882, when he was called upon to return to the east by the bishop of Boston, who appointed him an assistant in the cathedral in that city. Later he was assigned to assist Rev. J. S. Cullen at Framingham, and was appointed chaplain of the state reformatory at Sherborn, Mass. At the urgent request of the president and faculty, Father Allen was in the spring of 1884 again returned to his alma mater. He was elected vice president and treasurer of the college, and discharged his duties with such satisfaction that he was elected president of Mount St. Mary's college at the close of the scholastic year, 1884. During his administration many improvements were made in the college and seminary, and the number of pupils in both departments was greatly increased. The faculty was augmented and strengthened, the college debt, amounting to sixty-five thousand dollars was paid, and new buildings were erected. In 1889 the degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by Georgetown college. He visited Europe in 1889 and Rome in 1892. He was elected bishop of Mobile and was consecrated May 16, 1897.