Legacy Project
Article by Archivist Br. Lawrence Stewart

November 17th

Brother Bennet (Thornton) Nettleton, C.S.C.

Bennet was born in Baton Rouge, LA, and attended elementary and secondary schools there. After high school he worked for 3 years in his father's recreational factory. He studied for a year at Louisiana State University and joined Holy Cross in 1941. After his novitiate he completed his studies at Notre Dame and graduated in 1946 with a B.A. degree. He later earned a master's degree in history in 1952 after further studies at Catholic University in Washington, DC. From 1946-52 he taught history at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, IN. He then taught at Catholic Central High Scool in Monroe, MI, for a year and in 1953, joined the first brothers at the new St. Edward High School in Lakewood, OH. That assignment lasted 50 years. Bennet taught three generations of students in his world and U.S. history classes. His classroom was a reservoir of meaningful and valuable historical artifacts that students donated and he collected. For many years he supervised the school cafeteria, which served 1600 students. After his retirement in 2001, in tribute for his 50 years of dedicated service, the school formally dedicated the classroom as a museum in his honor. A Southerner, Bennet never lost his Louisiana accent which matched his relaxed and gentle nature. Always smiling and optimistic, his manner brought to the classroom an informal but business-like atmosphere that stimulated deep interest in history among his students. He helped create the unique Holy Cross spirit so perceptible at St. Edward's.