Thomas C. Gallaudet

Thomas C. Gallaudet was a 19th-century American educator known for his work in developing education for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. He co-founded the American School for the Deaf in 1817, the first permanent school for deaf students in the United States. Inspired by the efforts of French educator Laurent Clerc, Gallaudet helped establish methods and institutions that focused on teaching deaf individuals through sign language, promoting their inclusion and literacy. His contributions laid the foundation for deaf education in America, and the Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., is named in his honor.