Who is Bishop Simon Bruté? He was a brilliant man whose remains are interred in a crypt beneath the altar in the Old Cathedral behind you. Bruté was born and raised in Rennes, France in 1779. He studied in France and became a medical doctor during the French Revolution. His father was a printer for the French monarchy. Upon his father’s untimely death, Bruté’s mother, along with her children, took over the printing responsibilities to make ends meet and to attempt to keep her children out of the military at the time.
\nBruté turned down an offer by Napoleon Bonaparte to lead the medical profession in France. He instead chose to travel to the United States to help preach the Catholic faith. He went on to become the president of a university, a prolific writer, a wonderful professor, one of this area’s first historians, and most notably played a major role in the spread of Catholicism throughout Indiana and the surrounding states. Bruté became the first Bishop of the diocese of Vincennes in 1834 and died in 1839. Upon his death, John Quincy Adams referred to Bruté as the most learned man in America. There has been a cause within the Catholic Faith to name Bruté as a saint. Time will tell whether that happens.
\nThe library houses many priceless books on a wide variety of subjects as well as many artifacts dating back to the 13th Century. One of the most interesting artifacts is Mother Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton’s personal bible. She is a Catholic Saint and was the first person born in what would become the United States to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. Other holdings include church records dating back to the early 1700s, original maps from the 1700s, William Henry Harrison and Tecumseh’s peace pipe, an original Abraham Lincoln campaign banner, beautiful antique handmade furniture, artwork, the documents of Captain Leonard Helm (one-time commander of Vincennes’ Fort Sackville, later renamed Fort Patrick Henry), religious relics, a print of Jesus Christ out of a single continuous line made in 1649, a very early whaling chest, and a whole host of other fascinating, valuable, and unusual artifacts.
","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"Appointments to tour the library are made available by contacting the St. Francis Xavier Parish Office in Vincennes. The parish office is located at 106 S. 3rd Street in Vincennes. Telephone: 812-882-5638","lede":"This is the home of Bishop Simon Bruté’s personal library. This collection arrived here in the mid 1830s and is one of the finest collections of rare books and artifacts in the United States today.","website":"http://www.stfrancisxaviervincennes.com/","related_resources":[],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/0e1f90d02ecad2501410f54848a51c8d.jpg":{"id":2303,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Lilly Endowment, Inc. Plaque","description":"In 1968 The Brute Library was erected in to protect and help preserve the priceless collection now held within the structure. | Norbert Brown Collection, Knox County Public Library | 2019","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/0e1f90d02ecad2501410f54848a51c8d.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/7e89303d43336c8d5e4ec673fc4ed30d.jpg":{"id":2304,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Built to Last","description":"The well-built, climate controlled structure features ground level display space as well as below ground display areas, restrooms, and a commodious, walk-in vault. | Norbert Brown Collection, Knox County Public Library | 2019","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/7e89303d43336c8d5e4ec673fc4ed30d.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/e39fabeff1440c0128101b54390ec313.jpg":{"id":2305,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Through these Doors","description":"Walk through these doors and allow yourself to take a look back into the earliest known history of our state. | Norbert Brown Collection, Knox County Public Library | 2019","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/e39fabeff1440c0128101b54390ec313.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/5bb4e02f364db4e07f097e36c7d45c62.jpg":{"id":2306,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Seton's Bible","description":"The bible of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is on display. 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Take advantage of the OnCell Audio tour available for this and many other Vincennes sites. | Norbert Brown Collection, Knox County Public Library | 2019","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/f45482fed3a4792eb247fb6d10ee18f5.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/f5c7b0a1bd1c24c2bca5183c296a90c9.jpg":{"id":2310,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Well-Preserved History","description":"The library is meticulously clean, organized, climate-controlled, and properly lit. | Norbert Brown Collection, Knox County Public Library | 2019","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/f5c7b0a1bd1c24c2bca5183c296a90c9.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/c3696909aad911ff6e09c256437eba05.jpg":{"id":2311,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Artifacts Galore","description":"Many artifacts are also included within the collection. Check out this authentic 1860 Abraham Lincoln Campaign Banner! | Norbert Brown Collection, Knox County Public Library | 2019","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/c3696909aad911ff6e09c256437eba05.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/8065052c9436e8e11f249e3028902cff.jpg":{"id":2313,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Hand-Carved History","description":"Everything from daily used utensils in 18th century France to a modern state championship basketball may be seen here. | Norbert Brown Collection, Knox County Public Library | 2019","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/8065052c9436e8e11f249e3028902cff.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/46ac3bf5c2c31120b8626626b6b3a2d0.jpg":{"id":2315,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Who's Who of Catholicism in Indiana","description":"Many one-of-a-kind portraits of the earliest church leaders hang on the wall for visitors to enjoy. | Norbert Brown Collection, Knox County Public Library | 2019","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/46ac3bf5c2c31120b8626626b6b3a2d0.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/43f02cbec1f8eff1fa8b1763ad03324f.jpg":{"id":2317,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Peace be with You","description":"Many of the state's earliest known religious artifacts are housed between these walls. 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