Cheverus, Jean Louis

Cheverus, Jean Louis, a cardinal of the Roman Church, was born at Mayenne, France, Jan. 28, 1768, of a noble family, and was set apart for the Church, being made prior of Torbechet at thirteen years of age. He received his classical education at the college of Louis-le-Grand, and his theological at the seminary of St. Magloire. He was ordained priest in 1790, and soon after became vicar of Mayenne. During the later troubles of the Revolution he took refuge in England, exercised his ministry for a while in London, and then sailed for Boston, Mass., where he passed many years of successful labor in organizing and spreading the Roman Church. In 1808 he was made bishop, and continued his labors until 1823, when, on account of failing health, he returned to France as bishop of Monttlban. In 1826 he was made archbishop of Bordeaux and peer of France. His labors among all classes, rich and poor, in hospitals and prisons, were incessant, during all his service in the highest ecclesiastical posts. In 1836 he was made cardinal, and he died of apoplexy July 19 of that year. Few clergymen of the Roman Church have been more highly and deservedly esteemed by Protestants than cardinal Cheverus. — Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, 10:270; Christian Examiner, 26:88; Huen-Dubourg, Vie de Cheverus (Engl. tr. Philad. 8vo).