Gravesite is Open to
the Public
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu
Hyde Park, NY – An unpretentious headstone in a
cemetery on the grounds of The Culinary Institute of America marks the
final resting place of one of the great thinkers of the 20th century.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin died 60 years ago this week, on April 10,
1955, in New York City. It was Easter
Sunday. The controversial philosopher, paleontologist, and scholar
was buried the following day in Hyde Park on the grounds of what was then the St.
Andrew-on-Hudson Jesuit novitiate.
Among Fr. Teilhard’s famous quotes
is, “The day will come when, after harnessing space, the winds, the tides, and
gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of love. And on that day,
for the second time in the history of the world, we shall have discovered fire”
(Toward the Future, 1936).
Born in France, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was one of the first Catholic scholars to
espouse the theory of evolution and to seek a serious reconciliation of modern
science and religion. He was a professor of geology at the Catholic Institute
in Paris, director of the National Geological Survey of China, and director of
the National Research Center of France. Fr. Teilhard lived
in China for many years and played a major role in the discovery of Peking Man. He
was living in New York City at the time of his death. A full biography can be
found at the American Teilhard Association website.
The Jesuits occupied St. Andrew-on-Hudson from 1903 until
1968 and maintained a cemetery on their grounds. The Culinary Institute of
America purchased the property soon after and moved to the Hudson Valley from
New Haven, CT in 1972. The main seminary building, now known as Roth Hall,
houses three public restaurants and many of the college’s classrooms and
teaching kitchens. Visitors
to campus can obtain a key to the cemetery from the CIA Campus Safety office and are welcome to visit Fr. Teilhard’s grave.
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image
The grave of Jesuit philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin at The
Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. (Photo credit: The Culinary Institute of America)
View hi-res image >
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is an independent,
not-for-profit college offering associate degrees in culinary arts and baking
and pastry arts and bachelor's degree majors in management, culinary science,
and applied food studies, as well as certificates in culinary arts and wine and
beverage studies. As the world's premier culinary college, the CIA provides
thought leadership in the areas of health & wellness, sustainability, and
world cuisines & cultures through research and conferences. The CIA has a
network of 48,000 alumni that includes industry leaders such as Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Roy
Choi, Cat Cora, Dan Coudreaut, Steve Ells, Charlie Palmer, and Roy Yamaguchi. The CIA also
offers courses for professionals and enthusiasts, as well as consulting
services in support of innovation for the foodservice and hospitality industry.
The college has campuses in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.
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