Faithful Passages: American Catholicism in Literary Culture, 1844–1931

Acknowledgments

vii Acknowledgments Warm friendships and generous assistance have helped me during the research for this project. The English Department at Auburn University has been a congenial scholarly home, and I am grateful to colleagues and students there for their support. My research assistant, Sydnee Doolittle, did important work in tracking down obscure but necessary historical details. The professional staff of Ralph Brown Draughon Library at Auburn University was tireless in obtaining interlibrary loan materials for use in the research, and I thank them for their consistent efforts on my behalf. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill supplied an ideal setting for the early phases of study and writing that eventually grew into a larger endeavor. In the Department of English, Philip F. Gura was instrumental in many ways, but especially by supplying his unique blend of collegiality and inspiring scholarly example. I will always be thankful for his confidence in me and for his unwavering support. The UNC–Chapel Hill Department of Religious Studies was an important intellectual resource; Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp and Thomas A. Tweed were generous with their time, and they taught me much about the complexities of American religious historiography. At Duke University, Thomas J. Ferraro provided encouragement, memorable teaching, and insights into the aesthetic dimensions of Catholic religious life. As a 2012 US Fulbright Lecturer at Nanjing Normal University (NNU) in Nanjing, China, I have enjoyed additional support and friendship from numerous colleagues and graduate students. Professor Yan Zhijun of the School of Foreign Languages and Cultures at NNU welcomed me as a visitor on his faculty and ensured that my research and writing could proceed without interruption. Professor Wu Yidong and Ms. Cai Neng of the NNU Office of International Affairs facilitated every aspect of my teaching and writing while in China. viii E Acknowledgments At the University of Wisconsin Press, Gwen Walker was an ideal editor, once again guiding my work with warmth, skill, and professionalism . The anonymous reviewers made incisive suggestions that improved many aspects of the manuscript. I regret that the late Paul S. Boyer did not live to see publication of this book. As series editor for the University of Wisconsin Press, Paul worked with me over the past few years through all phases of writing and revision. Paul was unfailingly generous in supporting my research into American religion, and he consistently found ways to move my project in the most fruitful directions. Along the way, a number of people made the journey richer and more satisfying. For their friendship and support, I thank Phillip Beard, Craig Bertolet, Jonathan Bolton, Michael Everton, Leslie Frost, Lou Freitas-Caton, Laura Gribben, Christopher Keirstead, A. J. Meir, Christine Meir, Laura Mielke, Carol Robicheaux, Francis Robicheaux, Susan M. Ryan, Mark Simpson-Vos, David Syracuse, James Truman, Karen Weyler, Claire Wilson, and Hilary Wyss. Among my family members, Cecilia Hughes, David Hughes, Mary Onstead, Jim Onstead , Kevin Ryan, Cindy Connelly Ryan, Theresa Ryan, Tom Kumpf, Maureen Hay, Allan Hay, and Karen Ryan have been an enduring resource. Many years ago, Krista Wilbanks, Richard Wilbanks, the late Michael Twombly, Kathy Zens, Gerry Twombly, Faith McCormack, Mark Twombly, Susie Twombly, Steve Twombly, and Patti Twombly adopted me as one of their own and have sustained me with their family ’s energy, talent, and affection. My father, William C. Ryan, and my mother, the late Alice L. Ryan, supplied the rich conversations, unfailing encouragement, and solid grounding that have sustained my work. Renee Twombly and Thea Ryan are my perennial touchstones and soundest allies. I am fortunate to enjoy their affection, brilliance, wisdom , and good humor. Faithful Passages ...