Thomas Burke was born in Swinford, County Mayo, and came to the United States with his father, a physician, in 1850, settling in Utica, New York.

[1] He received his early education under the Christian Brothers in Utica, and attended St. Michael's College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

[2] In 1856, he entered St. Charles College in Ellicott City, Maryland, where he befriended his classmate James Gibbons.

[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following July 1 from Archbishop Michael Corrigan, with Bishops Bernard John McQuaid and Patrick Anthony Ludden serving as co-consecrators, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

[3] During his administration, he enlarged the Boys' Asylum in Albany, reduced diocesan debt, and renovated the cathedral.