America's Founders: Friends of the Deaf - Fall 2016

The Story of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Deaf Education

Introduction to the Sculpture

• The sculpture at Gallaudet University, created by Daniel Chester French, is a significant landmark unveiled on June 26, 1889.

• It was gifted to Gallaudet University by the National Association for the Deaf in 1917.

Early Life of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet

• Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was born in Connecticut and faced health challenges but excelled academically.

• He graduated from Yale College at age 17 with top honors after skipping his freshman year due to his preparation.

Career Path Before Deaf Education

• After working as a tutor and pursuing a master's degree, he briefly became a traveling salesman before entering Andover Theological Seminary.

• Frustrated with his health issues and career path, he returned home for recovery and family time.

Meeting Alice Cogswell

• During his break, he met Alice Cogswell, who was deaf. This encounter sparked his interest in deaf education.

• He attempted to teach her words using finger spelling but initially struggled with her understanding.

Realization of Educational Needs

• Gallaudet learned about existing methods for teaching deaf children through a book from the Royal Institution for the Deaf in Paris.

• Despite attempts to teach Alice using these methods, progress was slow; however, he remained determined to help her communicate effectively.

Establishing Support for Deaf Education

• As Alice improved her reading and writing skills under Gallaudet's guidance, he began advocating for establishing a school for the deaf in America.

• Dr. Mason Cogswell supported this initiative by encouraging fundraising efforts among wealthy friends.

Overcoming Doubts About Teaching Deaf Children

• Initial resistance arose regarding whether deaf children could learn; Gallaudet shared success stories about teaching Alice to communicate.

Journey to Europe for Learning Methods

• With funding secured, Gallaudet traveled to Europe to study effective teaching methods at schools like the Royal Institute for the Deaf in Paris.

Collaboration with Laurent Clerc

• In France, he met Laurent Clerc and proposed that Clerc join him in America as an educator after observing successful teaching techniques there.

Decision-Making Challenges

• Clerc faced pressure from peers about leaving France but ultimately decided to assist Gallaudet due to their shared mission of educating deaf children.

Founding of American School for the Deaf (ASD)

• Together they established ASD on April 15th, 1817. They prepared classrooms and sought out families with deaf children eager for education.

Legacy of Education Efforts

• Years later, discussions arose about continuing their work as both men aged; they emphasized advancing education beyond basic levels into high school and college opportunities.

Passing Down Knowledge

• Acknowledging their legacy during conversations with younger generations highlighted the importance of preserving knowledge within deaf education.

This structured summary captures key moments from Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet's journey towards establishing educational opportunities for deaf individuals while providing timestamps linked directly back to specific parts of the transcript.