James A. Flaherty

Who was James A. Flaherty?

James A. Flaherty was the sixth Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus from September 1, 1909 to August 31, 1927.

James A. Flaherty was born to Irish immigrant parents in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended classes at the University of Pennsylvania Law School in the 1870s. Flaherty practiced law for sixty-two years in Philadelphia as a lawyer specializing in settlement cases in the Orphan Court.

In 1909 he was elected Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus and served in the position until he retired from the office on August 31, 1927. During his term in office, the Knights of Columbus engaged in significant work helping U.S. servicemen during World War I and to civilians in the aftermath of the war. He received many honors for his work and that of the Knights, including the Croix de Guerre from the government of France.

Flaherty died from pneumonia at his home on the evening of January 2, 1937. He left three children. A son, Joseph A. Flaherty O.S.A., was president of Villanova University from 1965 to 1967.