About Hugh O'Donnell
Lived 1884 – 1947 (aged 63). Hugh O'Donnell was an American chancellor and catholic priest.
John Hugh O'Donnell, C.S.C. (June 2, 1884 – June 12, 1947), was an American Catholic priest who served as president of the University of Notre Dame from 1940 to 1946, after having served as vice president from 1934 to 1940 and as president of St. Edward's University from 1931 to 1934.
President of the University of Notre Dame During World War II, O'Donnell offered Notre Dame's facilities to the armed forces. The navy accepted his offer and installed Naval ROTC units on campus as part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program. Soon after the installation there were only a few hundred civilian students at Notre Dame. O'Donnell also continued O'Hara's work with the graduate school. He further formalized the graduate program and replaced the previous committee of graduate studies with a dean.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Hugh O'Donnell's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Hugh O'Donnell's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Hugh O'Donnell?
American priest
When was Hugh O'Donnell born?
Hugh O'Donnell was born on 2 June 1884 in Grand Rapids.
When did Hugh O'Donnell die?
Hugh O'Donnell died on 12 June 1947 in Notre Dame.
What was Hugh O'Donnell's occupation?
Hugh O'Donnell was a chancellor and catholic priest.
What nationality was Hugh O'Donnell?
Hugh O'Donnell was American.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Hugh O'Donnell (priest)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hugh O'Donnell. https://biography.guide/hugh-o-donnell-chancellor/
MLA: "Hugh O'Donnell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hugh-o-donnell-chancellor/.
Chicago: "Hugh O'Donnell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hugh-o-donnell-chancellor/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:12 UTC