William Francis Clarke | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 2nd President of Loyola College in Maryland | |
| In office 1858–1860 | |
| Preceded by | John Early |
| Succeeded by | Joseph O'Callaghan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 19, 1816 City of Washington, District of Columbia, U.S.[a] |
| Died | October 17, 1890 (aged 74) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Jesuit Community Cemetery |
| Alma mater | Gonzaga College Georgetown College |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | July 4, 1842 by Samuel Eccleston |
William Francis Clarke (March 19, 1816 – October 17, 1890) was an American Catholic priest and Jesuit who held several senior positions at Jesuit institutions in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Born in Washington, he descended from several early colonial families of Maryland. He was educated at Gonzaga College and its successor institutions during the suppression of the Society of Jesus, followed by Georgetown College. After his entrance into the Jesuit order, he taught for several years at Georgetown, and became the pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Baltimore, where he took uncommon measures to integrate black Catholics and Italian immigrants into parish life.
In 1858, he became the president of Loyola College in Maryland, remaining only two years before becoming the president of Gonzaga College and rector of St. Aloysius Church, which were impacted by the onset of the American Civil War. His term ended in 1861, and he returned to Loyola College as procurator. He spent his final years as a noted preacher and theologian.
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