GRANT, THOMAS. - Bishop, born at Ligny-les-Aires (diocese of Arras, France) on 25 Nov. 1816, died in Rome on 1 June 1870. He attended St. Cuthvert's College (Urshav), near Durham, and the English College in Rome, of which he became rector in 1844. He was secretary to Card. Acton.
On behalf of the English bishops, he worked with the Holy See for the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy in the country and translated into Italian, for the S. Congregation of Propaganda Fide, the English documents relating to the question. He also assisted Mons. Palma in drafting the historical preface to the decree of 1850, which precisely re-established the Catholic ecclesiastical hierarchy in England. Pius IX appointed him first bishop of Southwark: his consecration by Card. Fransoni took place in Rome on 6 July 1851. Modest and unassuming, G. was held in high esteem by the British government, which on several occasions had recourse to his good offices to settle conflicts between civil and canon law. In Nov. 1869 he returned to Rome to take part in the Vatican Council. He was appointed Latinist of the Council and member of the Congregation for Eastern Rites and for the Apostolic Missions.