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.

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The correspondence, clippings, sermons, books, manuscripts and course materials that comprise this collection concern the life of Rev. Paul van K. Thomson. Most of the documents relate to Thomson’s religious life, ranging from church bulletins when he was working as an Episcopalian Minister in New Jersey to books he wrote about his conversion to Catholocism.

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The collection is arranged in seven series

Series List

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Researchers wishing to find materials related to this collection should search the HELIN catalog with these index terms -- View the catalog record for this collection.

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The collection was acquired and maintained by Paul van K. Thomson prior to its donation to Providence College.

Paul van K. Thomson, Providence College Library, Special and Archival Collections

The collection was donated to Providence College by Thomson and his wife, Mildred M. Cole Thomson, in 1998.

The collection was originally processed in 1998 and re-processed in 2009.

Finding aid prepared by Margo Guditus.

Finding aid encoded by Margo Guditus, 2009.

Open for research.

Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Librarian of Special and Archival Collections when in compliance with the College's policy on copyright and publication.

The collection contained approximately 490 books at the time of donation, which were reviewed and inventoried. Those publications not containing marginalia, presentation notes, or containing subject matter directly related to Thomson's writings were placed in the general circulation department of the library. The remaining publications are available for review upon request.

There are no known related materials.

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