Vernon Joseph Bourke (1907–1998) was a Canadian-born AmericanThomist philosopher and professor atSaint Louis University. His area of expertise wasethics, and especially the moral philosophy ofAugustine of Hippo andThomas Aquinas.
Bourke was born inNorth Bay, Ontario, Canada in 1907. He attended St. Michael's College inToronto, winning the Cardinal Mercier and Governor General's medals in the philosophy honors course. He received his B.A. in 1928 and then entered the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto. He was among the first to attend thePontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies where he worked underEtienne Gilson. He earned his M.A. in 1929 during which time he taught ancient philosophy at St. Michael's College from 1928 to 1931.
In 1931, he joined the faculty of St. Louis University as instructor of philosophy. He earned his Ph.D. in 1937 and became an assistant professor of philosophy in 1938, an associate professor in 1942, and full professor in 1946.[1]
Bourke married in 1948. He and his wife Janet (d. December 1997), were parents of two daughters and a son.[2]
Bourke was a practicingRoman Catholic. He died on May 4, 1998.[citation needed]
After obtaining a PhD at theUniversity of Toronto inToronto, Ontario,Canada, Bourke went on to teach atSaint Louis University in Missouri from 1931 to 1975. During the 1930s he became the University's firsthockey coach.
Bourke was the President of theAmerican Catholic Philosophical Association in 1948 and an honorary member of theOrder of St. Augustine. He was a member of the Natural Law Board at theUniversity of Notre Dame and belonged to thePhi Beta Kappa fraternity.[3][4]
Bourke authored, co-authored, and edited numerous books and articles, including the following:
