Bishop Thomas Galberry (1833-1878) was born in County Kildare, Ireland. He entered the Augustinian novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania on January 1, 1852. His ordination to the priesthood by Bishop John Neumann of Philadelphia took place on December 20, 1856.

The newly—ordained Father Galberry first served on the mission of Saint Denis’ in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, and Saint Augustine’s in Lansingburg (Troy), New York. He later was Prior of Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery and President of Villanova College from 1872-1876. During this time, the west wing of Alumni Hall was added to the original building.

Father Galberry’s next assignment was as Commissary-General of the Vice Province in America, and, when it became a Province, he was elected its first Provincial. In 1876, he was consecrated the fourth Bishop of Hartford, Connecticut. Bishop Galberry was on his way to Villanova College from Hartford when he died in New York City on 10 October 1878, at the age of 45. He was buried in the Cathedral of Hartford, Connecticut.

Works consulted: *Necrology of the Augustinian Provinces of the United States of American (revised, May 2000)