American cardinal; first resident Archbishop of Washington, DC.
 
TNS+IMG - Typewritten Note Signed and professional color reprint image. Brief note on his chancery office notecard to renowned American autograph collector Joe Balmer.  Regrets that he has no photographs to send but sends a signed card. Accompanied by a SUPERB 6"x9" color, matte-finish, heavyweight stock formal portrait of Cardinal O'Boyle (acquired from overseas). Nice ensemble.
 
O'Boyle was director of the War Relief Services of the National Catholic Welfare Conference (1943–1947), before being named director of the Catholic Charities in New York on August 1, 1947. His ability in dealing with governmental and non-governmental agencies during the war and postwar periods caught the attention of the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani. On November 27, 1947, he was appointed Archbishop of Washington by Pope Pius XII. O'Boyle received his episcopal consecration on January 14, 1948, from Cardinal Francis Spellman, with Bishops John McNamara and Henry Klonowski serving as co-consecrators, in St. Patrick's Cathedral. According to Wickouski, O'Boyle's view of his role was shaped by his experience as an administrator under Spellman.

Known for his opposition to racism, in 1948 he led the way to desegregation of the American school system by racially integrating the Catholic schools of Washington six years before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled segregation unconstitutional. He started with the city of Washington first and then expanded to the southern counties of Maryland that were part of the archdiocese, first with the colleges and universities, then the high schools, and finally the parochial elementary schools.
 
O'Boyle was socially progressive but theologically conservative. He was an ardent supporter of Paul VI's encyclical Humanae Vitae, and placed ecclesiastical censures on priests who dissented from its teachings