Prior to coming to Omaha, Bishop Ryan, a gifted scholar, served as the rector of The Catholic University of America for seven years. His books included An Introduction of Philosophy and A Catechism of Catholic Education.
He was succeeded by Bishop James Hugh Ryan, who led the diocese from 1935 to 1947. The diocese became an archdiocese on Oct. 10, 1945, making Ryan the first to hold the title of Archbishop of Omaha.
