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From France to Indiana: The Life of Simon Bruté de Rémur

A Program Presented by the Marion County Historical Society

Join us in person at Central Library to learn about the life of Bishop Simon Bruté de Rémur (1770-1839), founder of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

Culture, History, and Society: Historic Indianapolis Metropolitan Area Connections—"Simon Bruté de Rémur (1770-1839), born in Rennes, France, earned his medical degree before becoming a Sulpician priest and missionary to America. He served as president of both St. Mary's College and Seminary. Later, Bishop Carroll appointed him bishop of the Indiana Territory, with its see in Vincennes. Bruté established the diocese that would become the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, brought St. Theodora Guérin to Indiana, and ministered to people of all faiths and backgrounds within his diocese. John Quincy Adams called him "the smartest man in America." Bruté also possessed the nation's second-largest library, after Thomas Jefferson's. The Archdiocese has begun the process of seeking his canonization."—Ray Brown, Marion County Historical Society Board Member.

Presented by: Ray Brown is a lifelong resident of Indianapolis. He holds a BA from Marian University and an MA from Western Illinois University, where he had an assistantship. He also completed 45 graduate hours beyond his master's degree. His 41-year teaching career included positions at Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) Northwest High School, several years at Broad Ripple High School, and instruction for the Woods External Degree (WED) program at St. Mary of the Woods College. His teaching experience spans humanities, AP English, US History, standard English, and Theory of Knowledge within the International Baccalaureate program. He is a member of the Italian Heritage Society of Indiana, where he leads their book club, and serves on the Marion County Historical Society board. He is also an active member of St. Michael Catholic Church. His interests include reading, attending cultural events and museums, travel, gardening, Indiana history and literature, movies, music, and dining out.

Parking: The Central Library has a parking garage available to patrons during their time at the Library. Garage pricing information is detailed here. The garage can be accessed on Pennsylvania Street.

This free in-person program will be held at Central Library in the Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR). Made possible by the Marion County Historical Society.

Age Level: Adults

Contact: Special Collections Librarian Montoya Barker

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