Thomas Cooke Middleton, O.S.A.
(1842-1923)


Tenth President
1876-1878

Father Thomas Cooke Middleton was born in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, on 30 March 1842 of a Quaker family. He was baptized at the age of 12 with his entire family, then including his mother and five sisters. He entered the Augustinian novitiate at Tolentine, Italy, in 1858, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1864.

In 1865, Father Middleton returned to the United States and Villanova College, where he served and lived for the next 58 years. At Villanova College he was a teacher, Prefect of Studies of the College, Archivist, and Secretary and Socius of the Province. He also served as President of Villanova College from 1876 to 1878 and College Librarian from 1865 to 1923.

Father Middleton was 81 when he died at Villanova on 19 November 1923. He is buried here at Villanova in the Augustinian Community Cemetery. Middleton Hall, the Health Center at Villanova University, is named in his honor.

Source: Necrology of the Augustinian Provinces of the United States of America
(Revised, May 2000).