Father Augustus Lemonnier, C.S.C. (1839-1874)

Although Notre Dame’s sports teams are known as the “Fighting Irish,” the school was actually started in 1842 by French priests. For most of the 1800’s, the school had French priests on the faculty, and the university had several French presidents. One of these was Father Augustus Lemonnier, C.S.C. (1839-1874), the fourth president.

Born near LeMans, France, he studied law before deciding on the priesthood. His uncle Father Edward Sorin was a strong influence on that decision. A member of the Holy Cross Fathers, a religious order founded in 1830’s, Sorin was one of the founders of a university in South Bend, Indiana, named Notre Dame du Lac. Sorin would serve as leader of the community in America, and eventually the worldwide order. Ordained in 1863, Lemonnier went right to work at Notre Dame.

In America, he picked up the language and customs quickly. However, his brother Louis, also a priest, was described as “uncompromisingly French.” Sorin suggested: “If you insist on being so French, it would be better for you to return to France!” He did.

A capable, compassionate man, Lemonnier rose through the ranks to university leadership. While one historian suggests that being Father Sorin’s nephew didn’t hurt, all agreed that he progressed by his own merit. In 1868, it was he who suggested forming Notre Dame’s alumni association. He served successively as Prefect of Discipline, Vice-President and in 1872, President of the university.

As president he tightened up the graduation requirements. Before this, the desicionto award degrees was left largely to the discretion of the individual departments. Lemonnier instituted an oral examination at which the entire faculty was present. He wanted to ensure that “there should be nothing questionable about the university’s degrees.”

In time, however, it became clear that his health was failing. By 1874, it was clear he didn’t have long to live. When the doctor told him there was little hope, he said: “I came into this world with nothing; I take nothing with me; I am detached from everything; I desire nothing but the grace of God.” He died October 29, 1874. One university historian notes that the students “really loved him.”