Paul van K. Thomson papers (rppc_thomson)

Biographical note

Rev. Paul van K. Thomson was born in Weehawken, New Jersey on December 14, 1916 to Walter Scott Thomson and Mary van Kuykendall Thomson. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Weehawken, graduating in 1933, and then attended Columbia University, New York, where he graduated with an A.B. in English cum laude. Between 1937 and 1940 Thomson attended Berkeley Divinity School, New Haven, Connecticut where he received his Bachelors in Sacred Theology.

In 1940 Thomson became an Episcopal clergyman and began his work as the Vicar at St. Martins Episcopal Church in Maywood, New Jersey. Soon after, in 1941, Thomson left St. Martins to work as a Curate at Grace Episcopal Church in Newark.

Before joining the U.S. Navy as a Chaplin to the Pacific Fleet Marine Force in 1943, Thomson received his Masters in Sacred Theology from the General Theological Seminary in New York, New York. His service during World War II earned him two Combat Stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. Upon his return to the United States in 1946, Thomson was offered a position, which he accepted, as the Rector at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Providence, Rhode Island.

In 1949 Thomson started as an Instructor of English at Providence College, in Rhode Island. That same year he and his family left the Episcopal Church (and the ministry) converting to Catholicism. During the 1950’s Thomson continued his education, attending Brown University, and received both his M.A. and Ph.D. in English. This allowed him to become a full-time professor at Providence College in 1959. During the 1960’s and 70’s when Thomson was not teaching he spent his time writing religious articles and books, publishing at least six of his works.

In 1981 Paul van K. Thomson wrote to the Vatican requesting the eligibility to seek ordination as a Roman Catholic Priest. Two years later on August 27, 1983 Paul van K. Thomson was ordained at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence Rhode Island. His ordainment made him the 6th married Roman Catholic Priest in the U.S. and the 1st in the Diocese of Providence.

Thomson retired from teaching full time at Providence College in 1985. Despite this, he continued teaching English part time, as well as preaching at St. Mary’s Parish of Newport, St. Thomas More Church, and St. Veronica’s Chapel of Narragansett. On December 22, 1999, Rev. Paul van K. Thomson passed away the age of 83. He was buried on the 27th of December at St. Columba Cemetery, Middletown, Rhode Island.

Chronology