Catholic Priest, Scientist, and Author. Born in Ireland, he and his family immigrated to Saint Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Christian Brothers College in Saint Louis with a Bachelor's degree in Arts in 1865. He studied theology at Saint Vincent's College in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, later obtaining a Master's of Arts degree at Christian Brothers College in 1869. He was ordained a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis in 1869. He served missions in Hannibal and Lebanon, Missouri, before returing to Saint Louis. Known as an astronomer-priest, Brennan wrote books about science and religion. He wrote "What Catholics Have Done for Science", "The Science of the Bible", "Electricity and It's Discoverers"', "Astronomy, Old and New", "Familiar Astronomy", "God's Word in Nature", and "A Popular Exposition of Electricity with Sketches of Some of It's Discoverer's". Brennan was a frequent contributor to lay magazines and newspapers about astronomy and other scientific topics. During this time, Brennan continued to work as a Catholic priest. He ministered in several parishes in Saint Louis, and was designated a rector and monsignor. When The Saint Louis Republic newspaper held a vote for the most popular pastor in Saint Louis, Brennan received nearly a quarter of a million votes. The Republic sent Brennan on a worldwide speaking tour, where he spoke before large audiences. After visiting Europe and Palestine, he returned home to Saint Louis, where he spoke of his travels to local audiences, one as large as 6000. Brennan died of natural causes at age 82 and was interred in Calvary Cemetery in Saint Louis.
Catholic Priest, Scientist, and Author. Born in Ireland, he and his family immigrated to Saint Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Christian Brothers College in Saint Louis with a Bachelor's degree in Arts in 1865. He studied theology at Saint Vincent's College in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, later obtaining a Master's of Arts degree at Christian Brothers College in 1869. He was ordained a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis in 1869. He served missions in Hannibal and Lebanon, Missouri, before returing to Saint Louis. Known as an astronomer-priest, Brennan wrote books about science and religion. He wrote "What Catholics Have Done for Science", "The Science of the Bible", "Electricity and It's Discoverers"', "Astronomy, Old and New", "Familiar Astronomy", "God's Word in Nature", and "A Popular Exposition of Electricity with Sketches of Some of It's Discoverer's". Brennan was a frequent contributor to lay magazines and newspapers about astronomy and other scientific topics. During this time, Brennan continued to work as a Catholic priest. He ministered in several parishes in Saint Louis, and was designated a rector and monsignor. When The Saint Louis Republic newspaper held a vote for the most popular pastor in Saint Louis, Brennan received nearly a quarter of a million votes. The Republic sent Brennan on a worldwide speaking tour, where he spoke before large audiences. After visiting Europe and Palestine, he returned home to Saint Louis, where he spoke of his travels to local audiences, one as large as 6000. Brennan died of natural causes at age 82 and was interred in Calvary Cemetery in Saint Louis.
Bio by: Rick K.
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