Fonds - Fr. Edward A. Synan fonds

Identity area

Reference code

Title

Fr. Edward A. Synan fonds

Date(s)

  • 1929 - 1997 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

6.75m of textual records
Photographs
Audio cassette tapes

Context area

Name of creator

(1918-1997)

Biographical history

Edward Aloysius Synan was born on April 13, 1918. He graduated from Seton Hall College (South Orange, NJ) in 1938. He studied theology at the American College at the Catholic University of Louvain, but returned to North America at the start of the Second World War. He completed his studies at the Catholic University of America (Washington, DC) in 1942, and was also ordained to the priesthood in 1942. Fr. Synan served as a chaplain in the United States Air Force from 1944-1948, and then returned to his studies at the University of Toronto. He graduated with an M.A. in 1950, and a PhD in 1952, both in Philosophy. He also earned the License in Mediaeval Studies from the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies in 1951.

Fr. Synan then taught philosophy at Seton Hall University from 1952 to 1959. He returned to Toronto in 1959, where he stayed until his death in 1997. While in Toronto, he taught in the Department of Philosophy at the University of St. Michael's College, at the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto, and at the Pontifical Institute. He served as President of the Pontifical Institute from 1973 to 1979, and also served as Acting President during the 1989-1990 term.

Fr. Synan died on August 3, 1997.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

These materials were received by the Archives over three accruals:

  • 1m of material from the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, prior to 2009
  • 5m of material received following the death of Fr. Synan in 1997
  • 0.75m of material received from Janice Shultz in 2016 (accession 2016 09)

Content and structure area

Scope and content

This fonds contains the files of Edward Aloysius Synan, accumulated during his time as Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Seton Hall University, his time as professor of philosophy at the University of St. Michael's College and the University of Toronto, and his time as professor of mediaeval philosophy at the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies. His files also include materials from his time as President of the Pontifical Institute.

Materials include:

  • papers, addresses, and sermons
  • conference notes and presentations
  • Projects
  • Correspondence
  • Class and teaching materials
  • Dreyfus materials
  • Solidarity materials

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

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Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Access to some administrative records, including records of the Pontifical Institute, and files regarding students, is restricted.

Conditions governing reproduction

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Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

File inventory is available.

Allied materials area

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Notes area

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Description control area

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Dates of creation revision deletion

Added by J Barr, 8 December 2017

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