Deaf History and Samuel F.B. Morse
Samuel F.B. Morse, as the deaf community knew, invented the telegraph in 1840s having worked with Amos Kendall, who later cofounded what is now known as Gallaudet University. Yes, this famous story was also about his deaf wife who helped him invent Morse code. A few years ago, Alice L.Hagemeyer learned from one program at the Library of Congress that Morse's second wife was deaf, not his first wife who died in 1825. Morse did not remarry until August 10, 1848 when he was 57 years old and his bride 26 years old. Her name was Sarah Elizabeth Griswold, one of the earliest students in 1833 at the New York School for the Deaf.Incidentally, there is an interesting article, "MORSE'S BRUSH STROKES, MERGING ART AND SCIENCE," by Blake Gopnik, staff writer of the Washington Post (December 19, 2005 in Style Section)
In 1821 and 1882, Morse painted "House of Representatives," which is now on display at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW, Washington, DC this holiday until January 2nd before it goes on tour across the nation.What is unique about this painting? Jean-Philippe Antoine, a professor of aesthetics and art criticism at the University of Lyons in France, recently analyzed this painting discovering that Morse had two identities. Morse, a well-known American painter, has worked on the telegraph when he painted "House of Representatives."
Interested in deaf history? If so, FOLDA needs your help with its campaign for the nation's libraries to observe National Deaf History Month and other appropriate annual events during 2006. Please email your name and email address to deafhistory2006@yahoo.com.
The National Deaf History Month Kit will appear on www.folda.net in mid-January 2006 for interested members of the library community to print out. It is free.
Submitted by Alice L. Hagemeyer