Bridgman, Laura D. (1829-1889)

Name:

Bridgman, Laura D. (1829-1889)

Other Names:

Bridgman, Laura Dewey Lynn

Born:

12/21/1829

Birthplace:

Hanover, NH

Died:

05/24/1889

Death Location:

Boston, MA

Residence:

Hanover, NH
Boston, MA

Nationality:

American

Occupation:

Student Perkins School for the Blind
Artist, needlework
Teacher of needlework, Perkins School for the Blind

Father:

Bridgman, Daniel (1800-1868)

Mother:

Downer, Harmony (1804-1891)

Relations:

Sister: Bridgman, Mary A. (1842-1859)
Sister: Bridgman, Mary C. (1825-1832)
Sister: Bridgman, Frances Collina (1827-1832)
Brother: Bridgman, Milo B. (1838-1839)
Sister: Simmons, Collina F. Bridgman (1845-1934)

Notes:

Parents were farmers. She and her two sisters were stricken with scarlet fever. Her sister died. Age two, she survived losing her sight, hearing, sense of smell, and nearly all of her sense of taste.
First documented deafblind person to be educated in the United States.
By age seven she learned to knit, crochet and sew from her mother. Later sold works of lace (some autographed). Donated money from sale to the poor or buy gifts for friends. Lived mostly at the school. Spent summers with her family in Hanover, NH.
Made her own dresses. Later taught needlework to students at Perkins.
Charles Dickens visited her at Perkins, wrote about her, publication inspired the parents of Helen Keller

Laura E. Richards, Laura Bridgman: The Story of an Opened Door. (Boston, Massachusetts: D. Appleton & Company, 1928.)

Dana Cemetery, Hanover, NH