John Leydon

John Leydon in 1979

Born| 17 January 1895
Died| August 2, 1979(1979-08-02) (aged 84)

John Leydon (17 January 1895 – 2 August 1979)[1] was an Irish civil servant, who served in a number of significant roles in ministerial departments and was involved in the setting up and development of a number of semi-state organisations such as Irish Shipping (first chairman), Aer Rianta (served as director and chairman), Aer Lingus[2] (served as chairman), and the Institute of Public Administration (which he served as its first president).[1]

Leydon was educated at St. Mel's College, Longford, before going to Maynooth College as a seminarian, he did not pursue the priesthood, and instead joined the British civil service in 1915. A devout Catholic, he was a member of the Legion of Mary, whose founder Frank Duff, was a close friend and best man at Leydon's wedding.[3]

## Awards and honours[edit]

He was awarded by the Vatican the title Knight Commander with star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great in 1948.[4] Leydon was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Dublin in 1961.[1]

## Death[edit]

Leydon died on 2 August 1979, aged 84. He is buried in Dean's Grange Cemetery Dublin.[1]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c d Kennedy, Michael (27 December 2021). "John Leydon". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Royal Irish Academy. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
2. ^ May 1986 marked 50 years of Aer Lingus RTE Archives, 19 May 1986.
3. ^ Frank Duff - A life Story by Dr. Finola Kennedy.
4. ^ "Past Members". Association of Papal Orders in Ireland. Retrieved 7 December 2021.

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