Born Francis James Driscoll on October 17th, 1924, in Columbus, Ohio. He served in the U.S Army 29th Infantry Division in World War II, which entered Normandy shortly after D-Day. Driscoll was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1946. He then enrolled in the Pre-Ecclesiastical program at Providence College and graduated in 1951 with an A.B. degree in philosophy. He went on to earn his bachelor’s and licentiate degrees from the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception and Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. He was ordained in the Dominican Order June 12, 1954. He served as a professor at Providence College for over 40 years, teaching religious studies, art history, and serving as the director of the graduate Theology program. During his tenure at PC, he also worked as an editor, writer, and designer with Providence College Magazine. Additionally, he served as faculty advisor to PC’s football team during the 1960s and 1970s. He also served as a residence hall director and associate chaplain to the college’s ROTC Patriot Battalion. He retired from teaching in 2007, but remained an active member of the Providence College community until his passing in 2013.
This collection is comprised of the personal materials of Father Driscoll: proof sheets, scrapbooks, personal correspondence, finished photography for Providence College Magazine; materials reflecting his personal interest in architectural history and stamps; as well as memorabilia from his personal life. The collection also includes documentation of extracurricular services that he performed as faculty at PC.
Providence College Archives and Special Collections owns the property rights to this collection. Consideration of the copyrights is the responsibility of the researcher.
This collection is open to researchers.
Author Last Name, First Name Middle Name or Initial. Title or description of material. Day month year. Rev. James A. Driscoll, O.P. collection. SC055, Box number, Folder number. Providence College Archives and Special Collections, Phillips Memorial Library. URL if applicable.
This collection is organized into two series, both arranged chronologically:
Transferred to the Archives from the Department of Art and Art History in 2020.
Processd by Liam Back in 2025
Materials were found in the offices of the Department of Art and Art History before being transferred to the Archives.
No accruals are expected.
Part of the stamp collection is located with the Art Department. Additionally, some antique books were separated and incorporated into the Rare and Non-Circulating Book collection of the Archives.
This series consists of mostly color photographic slides and blown-up negatives that were used to design the graphics on Providence College magazine and other college publications.
This series is comprised of Driscoll’s personal collection of family photographs entailing his time after returning from the war and when he was ordained; photographs from study abroad trips to Rome and throughout Europe; family wedding photographs and winter scenes; and material from the theology graduate studies program at PC.