Medical Pioneer, Literary Figure. Subject of the book "The Education of Laura Bridgman: First Deaf and Blind Person to Learn Language," by Ernest Freeberg. At the age of 2, Laura contracted scarlet fever which destroyed her hearing and sight. Dr. Samuel Howe brought her to the Perkins Institute for the Blind to attempt to teach a deaf-blind person. Laura eventually learned to read and write using specially grooved paper. She lived her entire life at Perkins and spent much of her time knitting, sewing, cleaning and writing letters to friends. Dr. Howe's achievement drew much attention, especially after author Charles Dickens visited the school in 1842 and enthusiastically described Bridgman's accomplishments in his "American Notes."
Medical Pioneer, Literary Figure. Subject of the book "The Education of Laura Bridgman: First Deaf and Blind Person to Learn Language," by Ernest Freeberg. At the age of 2, Laura contracted scarlet fever which destroyed her hearing and sight. Dr. Samuel Howe brought her to the Perkins Institute for the Blind to attempt to teach a deaf-blind person. Laura eventually learned to read and write using specially grooved paper. She lived her entire life at Perkins and spent much of her time knitting, sewing, cleaning and writing letters to friends. Dr. Howe's achievement drew much attention, especially after author Charles Dickens visited the school in 1842 and enthusiastically described Bridgman's accomplishments in his "American Notes."
Inscription
On the tall family monument:
LAURA DEWEY BRIDGMAN
DEC. 21, 1829
MAY 24, 1889
DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND
FROM TWO YEARS OLD.
EDUCATED AT PERKINS
INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND,
SOUTH BOSTON MASS
Family Members
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