Father Francis X. Talbot, S.J. (1889-1953)

Born in Philadelphia, Francis Xavier Talbot (seen above on the right) joined the Jesuits after high school. After his ordination in 1921, he became literary editor for the Jesuits’ America magazine. In this capacity he had a great influence on the Catholic literary scene. Among the organizations he helped found were the Catholic Book Club, the Catholic Poetry Society of America, the Catholic Theater Conference and the Catholic Library Association. Because of his interest in films, he worked closely with the Legion of Decency, an organization that reviewed movies for Catholics. From 1936 to 1944, he was editor in chief of America. He later served as editor for The Catholic Mind and for Thought. He served as President of Loyola College, Baltimore, in the late 1940’s. One of his best known books, which is still in print, is Saint Among Savages, a biography of St. Isaac Jogues, whose cause he was active in promoting.