Daniel Berrigan

NLN Dan Berrigan 2008a

Daniel Berrigan
Born	Daniel Joseph Berrigan May 9, 1921 Virginia, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	April 30, 2016(2016-04-30) (aged 94) Bronx, New York City, U.S.
Nationality	American
Education	Woodstock College
Occupation	Jesuit priest, poet, peace activist
Known for	Anti-war activism, Catonsville Nine
Relatives	Philip Berrigan (brother)

Daniel Joseph Berrigan (May 9, 1921 – April 30, 2016) was an American Jesuit priest, anti-war activist, and poet. He was known for his active role in the anti-war movement during the Vietnam War and his involvement with the Catonsville Nine, a group of Catholic activists who burned draft files to protest the war.

Early Life and Education

Daniel Berrigan was born in Virginia, Minnesota, to a devout Catholic family. He was the fifth of six sons. His brother, Philip Berrigan, also became a prominent anti-war activist. Daniel attended Woodstock College, where he was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1952.

Activism

Berrigan's activism began in the 1960s, during the height of the Vietnam War. He was a vocal critic of the war and participated in numerous protests. In 1968, he and eight other activists, including his brother Philip, participated in the Catonsville Nine action, where they used homemade napalm to burn draft records in Catonsville, Maryland. This act of civil disobedience led to their arrest and subsequent trial, which brought national attention to the anti-war movement.

Poetry and Writing

In addition to his activism, Berrigan was a prolific poet and writer. His works often reflected his commitment to peace and social justice. Some of his notable works include Time Without Number, which won the Lamont Poetry Prize, and The Trial of the Catonsville Nine, a play based on the trial of the Catonsville Nine.

Later Life and Legacy

Berrigan continued his activism throughout his life, participating in protests against nuclear weapons and U.S. foreign policy. He was arrested numerous times for his acts of civil disobedience. He also continued to write and teach, influencing a new generation of activists.

Daniel Berrigan passed away on April 30, 2016, in the Bronx, New York City. He is remembered as a passionate advocate for peace and justice, whose life and work inspired many.

See Also

• Catonsville Nine
• Philip Berrigan
• Vietnam War
• Anti-war movement