Roman Catholic Archbishop. Ordained a priest in St. Louis, he became the second archbishop of Philadelphia. At his initiative, many charitable institutions were established, as well as Cahill High School for boys in 1890 (later known as Roman Catholic High School), the second free central Catholic high school in the United States. In 1908, Ryan announced the establishment of a free central high school for girls (later known as John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School), but died before its completion in 1912. He also double the number of parish elementary schools. Ryan took interest in the founding of the mother house of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People in 1907, whose foundress, Mother Katharine Drexel, dedicated her life and fortune to the education of Black Americans and Native Americans. Archbishop John Ryan, called "Grandpa" by the orphans at St. Vincent's Orphanage in Philadelphia, was a favorite of the children. On Christmas Eve in 1896, he brought them 100 pounds of candy. The tradition of the Archbishop's Christmas Party continues today.

Roman Catholic Archbishop. Ordained a priest in St. Louis, he became the second archbishop of Philadelphia. At his initiative, many charitable institutions were established, as well as Cahill High School for boys in 1890 (later known as Roman Catholic High School), the second free central Catholic high school in the United States. In 1908, Ryan announced the establishment of a free central high school for girls (later known as John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School), but died before its completion in 1912. He also double the number of parish elementary schools. Ryan took interest in the founding of the mother house of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People in 1907, whose foundress, Mother Katharine Drexel, dedicated her life and fortune to the education of Black Americans and Native Americans. Archbishop John Ryan, called "Grandpa" by the orphans at St. Vincent's Orphanage in Philadelphia, was a favorite of the children. On Christmas Eve in 1896, he brought them 100 pounds of candy. The tradition of the Archbishop's Christmas Party continues today.