Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Gallaudet, Thomas Hopkins 1787-

Educator; born in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 10, 1787; graduated at Yale College in 1805, where he was a tutor for a while. At Andover Theological Seminary he prepared for the ministry, and was licensed to preach in 1814. Becoming interested in the deaf and dumb, he began his labors for their instruction in 1817, with a class of seven pupils. He became one of the most useful men of his time, labored incessantly for the benefit of the deaf and dumb, and was the founder of the first institution in America for their instruction. He was president of it until 1830, when he resigned. The asylum was located at Hartford, where Dr. Gallaudet became chaplain for the Connecticut Retreat for the Insane in 1833, which office he retained until his death, Sept. 9, 1851. Dr. Gallaudet published several works for the instruction of the young, besides other books. He was of Huguenot descent. His two sons, Thomas and Edward Miner, also devoted their lives to the instruction of the deaf and dumb. The former, an Episcopal clergyman, was instrumental in organizing churches for the deaf and dumb; and the latter established in Washington, D. C., the National Deaf-Mute College, in 1864, of which he became president.