Monsignor E. Robert Arthur, a Baltimore-born priest who was an official of the Archdiocese of Washington, died Monday of stroke complications at the Little Sisters of the Poor nursing home there. He was 90.

Raised on Homewood Avenue, he was a graduate of St. Ann Parochial School, Loyola High School, Loyola College and St. Mary's Seminary. He attended the North American College of Rome - where he was ordained a priest in 1938 - and had a degree in canon law from Catholic University of America.

In 1970, he received the papal honor of Protonotary Apostolic, the highest rank of monsignor.

He was a former pastor of three Washington-area Catholic churches, including Holy Redeemer in Kensington, and Annunciation and St. Patrick's in the District of Columbia.

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at St. Patrick's Church at 12:10 p.m. today.

He is survived by nephews and nieces.