Undated photograph of the "Monk of Dahlgren."
A carving of a reading monk, known as the Monk of Dahlgren, is found on the exterior of the north transept of the Chapel. It is the work of stone carver James Farrington Early who was employed in the construction of the Chapel. Information on its history can be found in the following sources; request them for use in the Booth Family Center via the Aeon request system.
Archives Reference File on the Monk
University Archives staff maintain reference files on a variety of subjects related to Georgetown University history, including on the Monk carving. These files contain photocopies of newspaper and magazine articles, brochures, and other documents found in the University Archives collection. They are intended to provide a starting point for research rather than to offer exhaustive coverage of any subject but they can often provide the answers to basic informational questions.
Cron, Frederick W. The Man who Made Concrete Beautiful: A Biography of John Joseph Earley. Centennial Publications : Ft. Collins, Colorado, 1977
This 63 page pamphlet about James F. Earley’s son includes a section on the Monk (see page 5.)
Serials: "Facilities Focus", GTA000054
September/October 1989 issue includes an article on the Monk carving
Old Archives: Buildings , GTA000321
Box 1: 206-1, 1891-1893. Includes material re James F. Early and "Monk of Dahlgren" carving.
Old Archives: Library, GTA000098
Box 1, folder 39. Repetti, Williams C., S.J., 1951-1953, and no date. Includes references to the carved monk on north side of Dahlgren
University Archives Photographic Collection. GTA.000109
Monk of Dahlgren folder
University Photographer’s Files, GTA.GAMMS305
Box 7, folder 76. Campus Scenes, 1982. Includes negatives and contact sheets with shots of the carved stone monk on Dahlgren Chapel
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