John Carroll (1735-1815): Founder of Georgetown College

Seal of Archbishop John Carroll, founder of Georgetown, seen in a window on the staircase at the north end of Georgetown's Healy Hall.The seal's motto, from Psalms 37:22, translates as 'Lord, Our God do not abandon us.'

This guide highlights primary and secondary sources available for use in the Booth Family Center for Special Collections and in the Woodstock Theological Library for research on Archbishop John Carroll. The sources listed are housed in the Georgetown University Archives, the Archives of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus, the Manuscripts Unit, the University Art Collection, the Woodstock College Archives and the Woodstock Theological Library. Where these resources are available online, this is indicated. However, researchers should anticipate spending more time working with physical resources than with digital surrogates. Use the links to the left to navigate through the content of this guide. 

The Booth Family Center for Special Collections is found on the 5th floor of Georgetown’s Lauinger Library. The Booth Family Center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Reference inquiries may be made in person, by telephone (202-687-7444) or via our email form. Booth staff are very happy to discuss research projects and to direct researchers to resources both within and outside the Center.