James hitchcock biography
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James and his wife Helen Hitchcock—herself a key figure in American Catholic history, as the founder of Women for Faith and Family—had four daughters. Helen Hitchcock died in 2014.
The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). Children: Alexandra, Consuelo, Hilary, Louisa.- Father:
- George Francis Hitchcock
- Mother:
- Stella Anne (Martin) Hitchcock
- Spouse:
- Helen Hull
- child:
- Consuelo Hitchcock
- child:
- Alexandra Hitchcock
- child:
- Louisa Hitchcock
- child:
- Hilary Hitchcock
THE AUTHOR
James Hitchcock, Ph.D., is a longtime professor of history at St.
Louis University, which he attended as an undergraduate. About CWN news coverage.
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All comments are moderated. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married at the Old Cathedral in St.
Louis in November of that year, when he began his time teaching at SLU.
In addition to his academic work, Hitchcock worked as a summer reporter for the St. He was raised in North St. Louis and attended Nativity Parish.
Background
Hitchcock, James Francis was born on February 13, 1938 in St.
Louis. He returned to St. Louis University to join the history department, teaching there for decades before his retirement in 2013. To love the Church, we must understand her history.
Raised in St. Louis, Hitchcock earned his undergraduate degree from St. Louis University and a doctorate from Princeton. In this remarkable volume Hitchcock brings a lifetime of insights and research to this important subject.
He is survived by his daughters Alexandra Kassing (Don) of Summerville, SC; Consuelo Hitchcock of Washington, DC; Hilary Hitchcock of St. Louis; and Louisa Spampinato (Robert) of Brooklyn, NY; and six grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, July 22, at St. Roch Catholic Church.
James Hitchcock, Catholic historian and commentator, dead at 87
Catholic World News
July 18, 2025
» Continue to this story on CNA
CWN Editor's Note: James Hitchcock, a noted historian and leading figure in an American Catholic intellectual revival of the late 20th century, died on July 14 at the age of 87, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Son of George Francis and Stella Anne (Martin) Hitchcock. He graduated from St. Louis University High School in 1956 and Saint Louis University in 1960 with a degree in philosophy and a minor in history.
Doctor of Philosophy, Princeton University, 1965.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Benedictine College, 1972.
Education
AB, St. Louis University, 1960. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Franciscan University, 1980.
Career
Assistant professor history St. Johns University, Jamaica, New York, 1964-1966.
He received his master’s and doctoral degrees from Princeton University and has authored several books, including The Supreme Court and Religion in American Life; The Recovery of the Sacred; What Is Secular Humanism?; and Catholicism and Modernity: Confrontation or Capitulation?
PRAISE FOR
HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
“The gap in knowledge of history and current events sadly extends to us Catholics in our grasp of the Faith and the rich history of the Church.
Director of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Saint Louis University
“This book, by one of the premier American Catholic historians, is clearly addressed to a broad audience. Member American History Association, Catholic History Society, Fellowship of Catholic Scholars (president 1981, Cardinal Wright award 1981).
With his books—including Recovery of the Sacred, Catholicism and Modernity, and The Decline and Fall of Radical Catholicism, Hitchcock earned wide following among American Catholics searching for stability during tumultuous years following Vatican II. He was a key figure in the growth of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, and a regular contributor to orthodox Catholic journals.
Hitchcock authored several books on the history of the Catholic Church.
James F. Hitchcock, Ph.D.