KERBY, WILLIAM JOSEPH

Sociologist, writer, editor, and organizer of Catholic social work; b. Lawler, Iowa, Feb. 20, 1870; d. Washington, D.C., July 27, 1936. Kerby had the advantage of unusually devoted Catholic parents, Daniel and Ellen (Rochford). His father was able to personally teach him the rudiments of Latin and Greek, and his mother schooled him in personal service to the needy. For his secondary and college training, he was sent to St. Joseph's College, now Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa. Afterward he studied for the priesthood at St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, Wis., and was ordained in Dubuque on Dec. 21, 1892. He was then sent to the Catholic University of America, where he obtained the licentiate in theology in 1894, returning to teach at the college in Dubuque in that year.

When Catholic University decided to introduce sociology into its curriculum, it invited him to take charge of the subject. He was sent to Europe in 1895, attended Bonn and Berlin universities, and received his doctorate in social and political science from Louvain in 1897. That fall he began his long career with the department of sociology at the Catholic University.

Kerby's interpretation of sociology was strongly influenced by his great concern for the welfare of the needy and the underprivileged. His major impact was therefore in social service, an area that in those days was not sharply distinguished from sociology. It has been truly said that he deserves the title of founder of scientific social work among the Catholics in the United States. He was a moving spirit in the organization of the National Conference of Catholic Charities in 1910. From 1911 to 1917 he edited the Saint Vincent de Paul Quarterly. He was also a prime mover in organizing the first Catholic school for social workers. Moreover in books, such as The Social Mission of Charity, in numerous periodical articles, in his work as editor of the American Ecclesiastical Review, and especially in his personal contacts he deeply impressed his generation.

On April 19, 1934 Kerby was made a domestic prelate. By this time his health had begun to fail and he had resigned as head of the department of sociology at the Catholic University. He was able to continue many of his activities up to the last.

Bibliography: j. j. burke, "The Rt. Rev. William J. Kerby: An Appreciation," Ecclesiastical Review 95 (1936) 225–233.

[p. h. furfey]