John Vinton Dahlgren

Dahlgren was born in Valparaiso, Chile[1] the son of Admiral John A. Dahlgren and Sarah Madeleine Vinton, daughter of Congressman Samuel Finley Vinton.[2] General William Tecumseh Sherman and wife Ellen were his godparents. Dahlgren's early education was in Washington, D.C. He attended Georgetown University graduating with a B.A. 1889; M.A. 1891; L.L.B. 1891; L.L.M. 1892. He was the class valedictorian in 1889.[3]

In 1892 Dahlgren was admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia. Shortly thereafter he moved to New York City where he was admitted to the Bar in 1894. After a short professional law practice with the firm Lord, Day and Lord, Dahlgren accepted an appointment as the attorney for the New York City Buildings Department in December 1895. During his time he published the book Dahlgren's Building Law Manual (1897). In December 1896, Dahlgren resigned his position in the Buildings Department due to his failing eyesight. In early 1896 Dahlgren became president of New York and Pennsylvania Brick, Tile, and Terra Cotta Company. On March 25, 1898 New York Governor Black appointed him Commissioner of Charities.[4]

On June 29, 1889 Dahlgren married Elizabeth Wharton Drexel in Saint Patricks Catherdral, New York.[5] According to The New York Times the wedding was a "notable social event". The newlyweds entertained quite a bit with guests including Cardinal Corrigan and many members of New York society. In March 1890 their first son Joseph Drexel Dahlgren (1890–1891) was born. Their second son, John Vinton Dahlgren, Jr. was born June 30, 1892 in Washington, D.C. During their marriage, they made numerous donations to Roman Catholic charities and to Georgetown University, including funds for the construction of Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart, as a memorial for their first son who died in infancy.[6]

In the spring of 1899 Dahlgren was taken ill with tuberculosis and went to Colorado Springs, Colorado to recuperate from his illness. After several months his condition worsened and he died on August 11, 1899.[7] Dahlgrens funeral was held on August 18, 1899 in Washington, D.C. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass was precided over by Cardinal James Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore and Cardinal Michael Augustine Corrigan, Archbshop of New York. His funeral was attended by many members of New York and Washington society, including President William McKinley. Dahlgren is buried at the Dahlgren Chapel, Georgetown University.[8]

In January 1971, Georgetown University Medical Center finished construction of a new building for its medical library. The building was dedicated the John Vinton Dahlgren Memorial Library.[9]