Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-07
REV. JOHN HAGEN
EXPIRES in HOME
Director of Vatican 0bServa-
tory Was Formerly Con-
nected With Georgetown U.

Associated Press dispatches from
Rome told of the death there early
yesterday of Rev. John Hagen, SO,
famous Jesuit director of the Vatican
Observatory for the last IS years and
formerly director of the Georgetown
University in this city where, years
ago, he became naturalized Ameri-
can citizen.
Father Hagen gained international
fame and recognition for his astro-
nomical research which he continued
his life. He had the additional dis
tinction of being the only American
citizen who to date has been made a
citizen Of the newly created Vatican
City.
Advanced Years Hindered Recovery.
According to dispatches, Father
Hagen had been very Ill for several
days with nephritis. His condition be-
came serious about the middle Of the
week and his advanced years made his
recovery impossible.
The first news of his death received
at Georgetown University was in
cable from former professor Of litera-
ture, Rev. Edward j. Coffee, s. j., now
in Rome, who stated that he was to
represent Georgetown at Father Hagens
funeral which win be held today. Father
Coffee happened to be attending the
Biblical Institute in Rome, having been
the last four years studying in Lyons,
France, and is to return to George
town after a year in Belgium.
Father Hagen's body was taken yes
terday afternoon to the Church of st.
Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuit
Order, the Society of Jesus, where the
funeral is tn be held
News Of Death Shocks Officials.
News of Father Hagen's death came
as a great shock to officials at George
town University, who have always re-
garded him as one Of the most disttn-
guisIed members of the faculty in the
more than century existence Of the In
stitution. Dr. Edmund A. Welsh, s. j.,
vice president of the university, who
has made FREQUENT trips to Rome in re-
cent years, always visited Father Hagen
and brought back with him messages to
former friends In Washington OF whom
he had many In academic and scientific
life
Father Walsh is en- route home now
from Europe, and while in Rome re-
Gently saw and had many talks with
Father Hagen. Although none OF the
present professors at Georgetown were
stationed Gnere curing FhLIleI hhkch
time, the late Rev. Francis A. Tondorf,
s. j., former director Of Seismology.
studied many years under the famous
astronomer. Father Tondorf during his
lifetime often said that he owed most
of his inspiration to Father Hagen.
with whom he was friend for many
years.
Pope Conferred Medals.
On Father Hagen's s0th birthday,
March 6, 1927, the Pope personally
visited him In the observatory. His
Holiness conferred on the priest COM
memorative gold medal especially coined
in his honor.
Father Hagen was born in Austria
and went to the United States as
Young man. He left Georgetown Uni
versity In 1905 to become chief of the
Vatican Observatory, and during his
many years in Rome he resided in the
territory now included in the present
Vatican City.
During 10 years he spent at George
town University. where he also taught
astronomy, Father Hagen made the
observatory one of the best known in