Paul Cullejv, an Irish Catholic prelate, born in the county Carlow, April 27, 1803. His parents sent him at an early age to Rome, where he was educated at the college of the Propaganda, and was after his ordination appointed professor of Hebrew. He had been for several years rector of the Irish college when Pius IX. (1848) fled to Gaeta; and, as all the rectors of colleges in Rome who were not foreigners had to leave the city, Dr. Cullen was charged temporarily with the care of their establishments. He showed remarkable tact and firmness in dealing with the republican authorities, and saved both the Propaganda and the Roman college in a critical moment by placing them under the protection of the American flag. The primatial see of Armagh having become vacant by the death of Archbishop Crolly, and the suffragans failing to agree in the choice of his successor, Pius IX. nominated Dr. Cullen to the post. Consecrated Feb. 24, 1850, he went to Ireland with the title of delegate apostolic added to that of primate. He immediately set to work to secure for the Catholics of Ireland a system of primary and secondary education which might preserve the pupils from proselytism, calling a synod at Thurles, in which effectual measures were adopted for the foundation of a Catholic university.

In 1852, on the death of Archbishop Murray, Dr. Cullen was translated to the see of Dublin, thus losing the primatial rank inherent in the see of Armagh, but confirmed for life in his position of delegate apostolic, which placed him at the head of the Irish hierarchy. This change was made to enable him to carry out his plans for the establishment of the Catholic university of Dublin, and to this work he bent himself. Property in the city was purchased, and in 1854 the university courses were opened under the presidency of John Henry Newman; and a new university building was commenced at Drum-condra, the archbishop of New York preaching on the occasion of the laying of the corner stone, July 20, 1862. In June, 1866, Dr. Cullen was created cardinal; and in October, 1867, the archbishops and bishops of Ireland met in Dublin under his presidency as delegate apostolic, and published resolutions declining all help from the state and condemning mixed education and secret societies. In the council of the Vatican Cardinal Cullen was conspicuous as an advocate of papal infallibility.

He is the first bishop of Irish birth who has been raised to the cardinalate since the reformation, and the first cardinal among the countless prelates educated in the college of the Propaganda.