Auguste Lemonnier

Auguste Lemonnier, C.S.C. was a French-American Catholic priest who served as president of the University of Notre Dame from 1872 to 1874.

Early life and education

The nephew of Fr Edward Sorin, he traveled from France to Notre Dame in February 1861, where he completed his seminary studies and was ordained a priest on November 4, 1863. At Notre Dame, he was Prefect of Discipline and Prefect of Religion.

President of the University of Notre Dame

During his tenure as president and vice-president, Lemonnier strengthened the university's curriculum by adding more courses and faculty in math and the sciences. He began construction of the university library, which was named in his honor. He was amicable and beloved by the student body for his closeness to the needs of students. He died in office, at the young age of thirty five.