Daniel A. Lord, SJ: A Forgotten Catholic Dynamo of the Early Twentieth Century

This article provides an overview of the life and career of Daniel Lord, SJ (1888– 1955), one of the most influential American Catholic religious figures of his generation. He was also one of the most prolific American Catholic writers. This article describes the work of Daniel Lord, especially his role as National Director of the Sodality movement; his creation of the Summer School of Catholic Action; and his numerous books, booklets, and pamphlets. A particular case can be made for the significance of those latter publications. Over the course of his career, he wrote 228 pamphlets, covering every aspect of Catholic faith and life, which sold over 25 million copies. Through those sentences and his varied activities, Lord stands out for his inestimable influence over the lives of countless ordinary Catholics.