About the Collector

As you can see from my curriculum vitae, I have spent important stretches of my life teaching, helping in the formation of younger Jesuits, and serving in administrative positions for both the Wisconsin Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and for several universities, including Creighton. Until 2002 I was the rector (religious superior) of the large Jesuit community at the Jesuit School of Theology (JST), formerly the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley (JSTB).  I have returned to teaching and pastoral ministry at Creighton University in Omaha.

Some years ago ('98-'99) I was a USWest Fellow at Creighton; that wonderful fellowship in technology gave me the chance to start putting the catalogue of my fable collection onto the web.  What you see here is the result of the effort that started then and continues as my hobby, fascination, and madness now. 

Positions that have been part of my recent experience thus include being an Associate Professor of Classics at Creighton, teaching Latin and fables in the Department of Classics and Near Eastern Studies (CANES), and serving as President and immediate Past President (until January of 2003) of the Vergilian Society.

My mother Lois died in 1999 after a tough struggle with lung cancer, following her beloved Ivan, who died twenty years earlier.  My sister Meg lives outside Washington, DC. My brother John lives with Susie in San Francisco. Sabbatical experiences in Santa Clara and my position in Berkeley gave me a chance to be with their daughter Sonja, who will graduate from high school this year.   

I grew up a true Milwaukeean and remain an avid--if sometimes a slightly disappointed--Green Bay Packer fan. 

As you will gather from these pages, I have fallen into a crazy hobby of collecting fable books and other materials. Where do I get them all, you might ask. I love taking a few hours in a new city (or even an old one!) to find their used book shops and to snoop around in them. Recent years have also brought the joy of discovering great book finding opportunities on the Web.  I include a copy of my wantlist, the list of books of which I am aware but which I have not yet been able to acquire for the collection.  

Those who are cleaning attics or garages and finding old fable books or other materials are always welcome to contribute.  Their books or materials will find a happy home with friends!