John E. Swift
John Swift | |
|---|---|
| 9th Roman Catholic | |
| Spouse | Emily Swift |
| Alma mater |
|
John Edward Swift (December 7, 1879 – August 19, 1967)[1] was an American judge who served as the ninth Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus from October 24, 1945, to August 31, 1953.
Early life
Swift was born in Milford, Massachusetts, in 1879 to Irish immigrants.[2] He received a bachelor's degree from Boston College in 1899 and a law degree from Boston University in 1902.[3] As a lawyer, he worked for Senator David I. Walsh and then with his brother Thomas in private practice.[3]
Career
United States federal work
Swift was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1916 and 1920 and was admitted to the Supreme Court Bar Association in 1917.[3] On May 17, 1933, he was appointed a Superior Court judge in Massachusetts to succeed Webster Thayer.[4]
Knights of Columbus
Swift joined the Knights of Columbus and was a member of Valencia Council 80 in Milford.[3] He served as grand knight, district deputy, state secretary, and finally was elected State Deputy of Massachusetts on May 10, 1927.[3] He became a Supreme Director in 1927 and then Deputy Supreme Knight in 1939.[4] He was elected Supreme Knight in 1945 and declined renomination in 1953.[4]
A staunch anti-communist, his denunciations of
As Supreme Knight, he began a nationwide crusade against Communism. President
In 1950, after a Special Audience with
Personal life
Swift was named a Massachusetts Superior Court Justice in 1947. His wife Emily died, aged 59, at their home in Milford on November 9, 1947, from a coronary thrombosis following a long illness.[citation needed] Swift died at his summer home in Osterville, Massachusetts, on August 19, 1967.[1]
Awards and honors
Swift was the recipient of three honorary degrees, the 1953 Catholic Action Medal, and the 1961 Lantern Award.
References
- ^ a b John E. Swift of Milford, Superior Court Justice Boston Globe (1960-1981); Aug 21, 1967, page 20.
- ^ Lapomarda, Vincent A. (1992). The Knights of Columbus in Massachusetts (second ed.). Norwood, Massachusetts: Knights of Columbus Massachusetts State Council.
- ^ a b c d e Lapomarda 1992, p. 39.
- ^ a b c d e f g Lapomarda 1992, p. 41.
- ^ a b Faith and fraternalism: the history of the Knights of Columbus, 1882-1982, Christopher J. Kauffman, Harper & Row, 1982, page 363.
External links
- Website of the Knights of Columbus
- New York Times, Mrs. John E. Swift Obituary, November 10, 1947, page 29.