Early years and education
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was born in Philadelphia on December 10th 1787.He was the oldest of 12 children. He was very bright and attended Yale at just 15 years of age in 1802. He graduated youngest in his class, adn also had the highest honors. He tried many different career options, but was limited in his choices due to heath problems. He finally chose to pursue ministry and attended the Andover Theological Seminary from 1811-1814
Alice Cogswell
As a young minister Galluadat traveled around giving sermons, on one occasion he met young deaf girl named Alice Cogswell.
The Cogswell home
Alice was a major motivation toward his work with the deaf. He set out to formalize deaf education in America. In 1815 he left to Europe to study established forms of symbolic communication.When he returned in 1916 he began seeking financial support to fund a school.The school, inspired by the ability of Alice Cogswell to overcome her handicap, opened in Hartford in 1817.
When he retired due to heath problems in 1830 the was thriving.
Modern Gallaudet University
After retiring from the school he married Sophia Fowler a deaf former student and had two sons Edward and Thomas Edward worked with the school, and Thomas became an Episcopal priest. working on bringing religion to the deaf.
Sophia
Later on in his life he began to broaden his line of work. He began writing books for children adn promoting education.He worked on a speller and a dictionary and wrote Book on the Soul (1831), Scripture Biography (1833), and Everyday Christian (1835).
He supported training colleges for teachers and higher education for women. he worked with the mentally ill and volunteered at the prison.
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet died on Sept. 10, 1851. His work made it possible for the deaf to have the same educational opportunities that they have today.
Alice CogswellAs a young minister Galluadat traveled around giving sermons, on one occasion he met young deaf girl named Alice Cogswell.
The Cogswell home
Alice was a major motivation toward his work with the deaf. He set out to formalize deaf education in America. In 1815 he left to Europe to study established forms of symbolic communication.When he returned in 1916 he began seeking financial support to fund a school.The school, inspired by the ability of Alice Cogswell to overcome her handicap, opened in Hartford in 1817.
When he retired due to heath problems in 1830 the was thriving.
Modern Gallaudet UniversityAfter retiring from the school he married Sophia Fowler a deaf former student and had two sons Edward and Thomas Edward worked with the school, and Thomas became an Episcopal priest. working on bringing religion to the deaf.
SophiaLater on in his life he began to broaden his line of work. He began writing books for children adn promoting education.He worked on a speller and a dictionary and wrote Book on the Soul (1831), Scripture Biography (1833), and Everyday Christian (1835).
He supported training colleges for teachers and higher education for women. he worked with the mentally ill and volunteered at the prison.
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet died on Sept. 10, 1851. His work made it possible for the deaf to have the same educational opportunities that they have today.
