Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet
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| Born | December 10, 1787 |
| Died | September 10, 1851 (aged 63) |
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| Occupation | Minister, educator, co-founder of the first permanent school for the deaf in North America. |
| Spouse(s) | Sophia Fowler |
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet (December 10, 1787 – September 10, 1851) was an important American teacher. He helped start the very first permanent school for deaf students in North America. This school, opened in 1817, is now called the American School for the Deaf. He worked with Laurent Clerc and Mason Cogswell to make this happen.
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Who Was Thomas Gallaudet?
Thomas Gallaudet went to Yale University. He earned his first degree in 1805 when he was 17. Later, he got a master's degree from Yale in 1808. He studied many subjects, including law and religion. In 1814, he finished his studies at Andover Theological Seminary.
How Did He Start Teaching Deaf Students?
Thomas Gallaudet's life changed on May 25, 1814. He met Alice Cogswell, a nine-year-old deaf girl. Alice was the daughter of his neighbor, Dr. Mason Cogswell. Thomas saw Alice playing by herself and wanted to help her learn.
He started teaching Alice by drawing pictures in the dirt. He would write the names of objects next to their drawings. Dr. Cogswell was very impressed with Thomas's teaching. He asked Thomas to keep teaching Alice all summer.
Traveling to Europe to Learn
Many of Thomas's friends became religious leaders. But Thomas found his special mission at home. Dr. Cogswell and other leaders asked Thomas to travel to Europe. They wanted him to learn how to teach deaf students.
In Europe, Thomas first tried to learn from the Braidwood family in Scotland. They used a method of teaching deaf students to speak. However, they did not want to share their teaching secrets. Thomas also felt their method was not the best.
Learning Sign Language in Paris
While in Great Britain, Thomas met Abbé Sicard. Sicard was the head of a famous school for the deaf in Paris, France. Thomas also met two deaf teachers from the school, Laurent Clerc and Jean Massieu.
Sicard invited Thomas to Paris to study their teaching methods. This school used manual communication, which is now known as sign language. Thomas was very impressed with this method. He learned how to teach using sign language from Clerc and Massieu.
Starting the First School for the Deaf
Thomas Gallaudet convinced Laurent Clerc to come back to America with him. Together, they sailed across the ocean. With help from Dr. Cogswell, they traveled around New England. They raised money from people and the government.
Their goal was to open a school for deaf students. In 1817, they opened the "Connecticut Asylum" in Hartford. Today, this school is known as the American School for the Deaf (ASD). Young Alice Cogswell was one of the first students there.
Thomas Gallaudet's Family Life
In 1821, Thomas married Sophia Fowler. She was one of his former students. They had eight children together.
Thomas Gallaudet stopped being the main leader of the school in 1830. After that, he wrote books about education and religion. He also worked as a chaplain at a hospital in Connecticut. He continued to teach, and one of his students was the famous painter Frederic Edwin Church.
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet passed away in Hartford on September 10, 1851. He was 63 years old.
Gallaudet's Family Legacy
Thomas Gallaudet's family continued his important work.
Edward Miner Gallaudet
His youngest son, Edward Miner Gallaudet (1837–1917), followed in his father's footsteps. In 1864, Edward founded the first college for deaf people. This college is now known as Gallaudet University. Edward was its president for 46 years.
Gallaudet University also has schools for younger students. The elementary school is called the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School. The middle and high school is the Model Secondary School for the Deaf.
Thomas Gallaudet (Son)
Another son, also named Thomas Gallaudet, became a priest. He also dedicated his life to helping deaf people.
Peter Wallace Gallaudet
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet's father, Peter Wallace Gallaudet, worked for the first US President, George Washington.
How Is Thomas Gallaudet Remembered?
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet's work had a lasting impact. Many things are named or created in his honor:
- Just before he died, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
- Gallaudet University was named after him in 1894.
- A statue of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Alice Cogswell stands at Gallaudet University. It was made by the artist Daniel Chester French.
- A memorial was built in 1887 at the American School for the Deaf. It honored 100 years since his birth.
- In 1983, the United States Postal Service made a 20-cent postage stamp with his picture.
- Gallaudet Hall, a building at Central Connecticut State University, is named after him.
- A residence hall at the University of Hartford is also named in his honor.
See also
In Spanish: Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet para niños
