In response to the University’s Irish Fiction Initiative, John Madden and his late wife, Lenore, established the Madden Family Collection in Irish Studies. John (’59, ’62 MA) is chair of F.N.B.C. of LaGrange, a holding company of Chicago community banks, and is a member of Notre Dame’s Ireland and Arts & Letters advisory councils. Lenore Hennebry Madden graduated from Saint Mary’s College in 1961 and later earned a master’s degree in library science at Rosary College.

The Maddens raised five children: Mary Hayes, John (’85), Martin (’86), Lenore McCarter, and Edward (’91, ’95 JD).

By assisting the Libraries in the purchase of the renowned Loeber Collection, a unique repository of Irish fiction and a cornerstone of the University’s Irish Fiction Initiative, the Maddens have made a significant difference at Notre Dame. Their collection has also enabled the acquisition of a number of 18th-century Irish novels, along with other titles of importance to the study and teaching of Irish literature of the 18th through 20th centuries.

The family has also established the Madden Hennebry Family Collegiate Professor of Irish-American Studies.