Alice Cogswell

About

Icon of deaf culture known for being the inspiration behind the creation of Connecticut's American School for the Deaf. She was one of the school's six original students during its opening in April 1817.

Before Fame

She lost her hearing as a result of cerebra-spinal meningitis, then referred to as "spotted fever," as a two-year-old.

Trivia

Statues of her with Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet stand at the American School for the Deaf and Gallaudet University.

Family Life

She and her father died just thirteen days apart, with her father dying first.

Associated With

She and Helen Keller are two important deaf historical figures.