Biographical Sketch
Thomas Robert O’Meara was born in Georgetown Ontario on October 16th 1864. In 1867 his family moved to Port Hope. His father was rector of St John’s Church. He attended both public and high school in Port Hope. In 1883, at the age of 18, O’Meara entered University College and Wycliffe College. However, due to poor health he had to quit University College. In 1887 he graduated from Wycliffe College. Also, in 1887 he was ordained. O’Meara was appointed curate at St Philips Church, Toronto. In 1888 he was ordained as a priest. In 1889 he married Harriet Boyd. Later he served at Trinity Church East in Toronto. O’Meara became rector in 1904. O’Meara held many positions at Wycliffe College. Since 1889 he had held the post of financial secretary at Wycliffe. In 1903 he became a member of the executive committee. He was president of the Church of England Deaconess and Missionary Training House. He was also a board member for the Havergal College. As an undergraduate he was active in the Wycliffe College Missionary Society, and the honorary secretary of the Canadian Church Missionary Society.
In 1906 O’Meara was named principal of Wycliffe College, the same year as he was conferred with a Doctor of Laws by the University of Toronto. Under his leadership additions were made to the college to meet its growing demand. Furthermore, while he was principal he helped prepare the college for its Jubilee celebration in 1927. In 1928 Principal O’Meara and Mrs. O’Meara set out to visit all the graduates of Wycliffe in the missionary field. It would be a year long trip. However, O’Meara’s health began to fail. They returned in 1929. O’Meara could not return to work. He died January 10th 1930.
In 1906 O’Meara was named principal of Wycliffe College, the same year as he was conferred with a Doctor of Laws by the University of Toronto. Under his leadership additions were made to the college to meet its growing demand. Furthermore, while he was principal he helped prepare the college for its Jubilee celebration in 1927. In 1928 Principal O’Meara and Mrs. O’Meara set out to visit all the graduates of Wycliffe in the missionary field. It would be a year long trip. However, O’Meara’s health began to fail. They returned in 1929. O’Meara could not return to work. He died January 10th 1930.
Scope and Content Notes
Contains mostly correspondence, with some postcards, memos, some reports, and minutes of meetings. The correspondence is to and from all over the world, throughout Canada, from India, Jamaica, Japan, and China. The correspondence pertains to finding full or part time placements for parishes, finding monetary contributions for the college. There are letters from students seeking admittance and stating that they are unable to return. There is some correspondence with the Church of England Deaconess and Missionary Training House, Havergal College and the Bishop Ridley College. There are letters pertaining to missionary work, to and from the war front. Some financial statements and annual reports are present. There are a few diaries. Also papers relating to Mrs. Sheraton’s will and estate.
Note Area
Other documents relating to O’Meara are located in the Sheraton papers, the McElheran paperss, the Appendix to Minutes of the Wycliffe College Council and Board of Trustees Series, and the Wycliffe College Executive Committee Minutes.
