Brute, Simon William Gabriel (1779–1839)

French-born US prelate. He was the first Roman Catholic bishop of the diocese of Vincennes, Indiana. He held an unrivalled place in the US Church from 1818–34, being constantly consulted by the clergy, and frequently asked to lecture and teach. He was known as ‘Chief of the Black Robes’ by the American Indians. Brute was born in Rennes, France. In 1810 he settled in Baltimore, Maryland.