Annabelle M. Melville (1910–1991)

1772 Jean Lefebvre de Cheverus 1768-1836, by Annabelle M. Melville (read 2 Apr 1983) This biography of the first bishop of Boston was published in 1958. Jean Lefebvre de Cheverus was born 28 Jan 1768 in the parish of Notre Dame de Mayenne, which appears to be where Brittany and Normandy meet. He left France at the time of the Revolution, spent some time in England, and then came to the U.S., arriving at Boston on 3 Oct 1796. He was consecrated first bishop of Boston on 1 Nov 1810 at St. Peter's pro-cathedral in Baltimore by Archbishop Carroll. In 1823 he was transferred from Boston to be Bishop of Montauban (just north of Toulouse, in south France) and in 1826 he was made Archbishop of Bordeaux. On Feb 1, 1836, he was proclaimed Cardinal, and he died 19 July 1836 at Bordeaux, where he was buried in Saint Andre Cathedral. This book is excessively partial--there is no hint of criticism of anything its subject did. But the life is a very interesting one and I am glad I read it.… (mais)