Supreme Knight 1899-1909

Edward L. Hearn presided over a period of dramatic organizational growth. During his term, the Order established councils west of the Mississippi, in Mexico, in Cuba, in Panama and in the Philippines. Membership climbed from 42,000 to nearly 230,000 and councils from 400 to 1,400. Under Edward L. Hearn, the order changed qualitatively as well: creating the Fourth Degree based on patriotism, funding a chair in American history at the Catholic University of America, and establishing adequate reserves for the insurance program.

After retiring from supreme knight, he served as overseas war activities commissioner during World War I and its aftermath, and as director of the Knights of Columbus Welfare Activities in Rome. Pope Pius XI honored Edward L. Hearn with the title of papal count in 1926.