Patrick Meson Lynch, an American bishop, born at Cheraw, S. C, March 10, 1817. After studying under the direction of Bishop England in the diocesan seminary of Charleston, he went to Rome in 1834, and studied philosophy and theology in the college of the Propaganda. He received his doctor's degree in the beginning of 1840, was ordained priest, and returned to Charleston, where he was appointed rector of the seminary and professor of theology. In 1845 he became rector of St. Mary's parish in that city, in 1847 rector of the cathedral, and in 1850 vicar general of the diocese. After the death of Bishop Reynolds in 1855 he was appointed by the pope administrator, was named bishop of Charleston Dec. 9, 1857, and consecrated March 14,1858. During his administration Bishop Lynch has built several churches in his diocese, and founded a convent of Ursulines, an orphan asylum, and a large number of elementary schools for children of both sexes. It was also chiefly through his energy that the beautiful cathedral of St. Michael was completed.

This and many of his churches and educational establishments having been destroyed during the civil war, Bishop Lynch has since 1865 devoted himself to preaching and lecturing throughout the northern and middle states for the purpose of collecting funds sufficient to repair these ruins. In 1869 he was present at the council of the Vatican, and sustained the definition of the dogma of papal infallibility. He has published several essays on astronomical, historical, and theological subjects.