author
1842–1911
A Philadelphia journalist and historian, he spent decades documenting Catholic life and Irish-American history in the city he knew best. His work blends careful record-keeping with a strong interest in the people and institutions that shaped local memory.
by Martin I. J. (Martin Ignatius Joseph) Griffin
Born in Philadelphia on October 23, 1842, and dying there on November 10, 1911, he built his career as a journalist, editor, and historian. In early adulthood he worked with several Catholic publications and became especially known in religious and community journalism.
In 1872, he was appointed secretary of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union. He then founded and edited its publication from 1873 to 1894, first as the I.C.B.U. Journal and later as Griffin's Journal.
He is remembered for preserving the history of Catholic and Irish Philadelphia through his writing and editorial work. The available source describes him as a journalist and historian, but I could not confirm further biographical details or find a verified portrait image from the pages I checked.