John Augustine Zahm (pseudonym H. J. Mozans), CSC (June 14, 1851 – November 10, 1921) was a Holy Cross priest, author, scientist, and explorer of South America. He was born at New Lexington, Ohio, and died in Munich, Germany.
Early life
Zahm was born on June 14, 1851, in a log home in Jackson Township, Perry County, Ohio to John and Mary (née Braddock) Zahm. His mother was born in Pennsylvania and was of English descent, having Edward Braddock as an ancestor. His father was an immigrant to the United States from Olsberg, Germany.
Zahm initially attended a one-room schoolhouse in Logan, with Januarius MacGahan being one of his classmates, before the family moved to Huntington, Indiana from where he learned of the University of Notre Dame.
Education and career
Zahm attended the University of Notre Dame in 1867 and graduated with honors in 1871 as a Novice of the Congregation of Holy Cross. He finished his theological studies and was ordained in 1875. Zahm was hired by the University of Notre Dame as a science teacher although he had interest in literature. His brother Albert attended Notre Dame as a student while John was on the faculty.
During his time teaching he wrote the text Sound and Music in 1892. He was appointed the Vice President of Notre Dame at 25 years of age and held the position for nine years. In 1895, he was recognized as Doctor of Philosophy by Pope Leo XIII. Zahm championed the view of Notre Dame becoming a research university dedicated to scholarship, which was at odds with Andrew Morrissey, who hoped to keep the institution a smaller boarding school.
