Samuel Gridley Howe

Samuel Gridley Howe

Samuel Gridley Howe (November 10, 1801 – January 9, 1876) was a prominent 19th-century American physician, abolitionist, and advocate for the education of the blind. He is best known for his work in founding the Perkins School for the Blind and his efforts in the abolitionist movement.

Early Life and Education

Samuel Gridley Howe was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Joseph Neals Howe and Patty Gridley Howe. He attended Brown University and later graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1824.

Career

Greek War of Independence

After completing his medical education, Howe traveled to Greece to serve as a surgeon in the Greek War of Independence from 1824 to 1827. His experiences in Greece deeply influenced his humanitarian outlook and commitment to social causes.

Perkins School for the Blind

In 1831, Howe became the first director of the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts. Under his leadership, the school became a model institution for the education of the blind. Howe is particularly noted for his work with Laura Bridgman, the first deaf-blind person to be successfully educated.

Abolitionist Movement

Howe was an ardent abolitionist and a member of the Secret Six, a group of men who financially supported John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry. He was also involved in the American Anti-Slavery Society and worked closely with other prominent abolitionists such as William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass.

Civil War and Later Life

During the American Civil War, Howe served as a member of the United States Sanitary Commission, which was responsible for promoting clean and healthy conditions in the Union Army camps. After the war, he continued his advocacy for the disabled and other social causes until his death in 1876.

Personal Life

Howe married Julia Ward Howe, a social reformer and author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." They had six children, including Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards, a noted author, and Florence Howe Hall, a writer and social activist.

Legacy

Samuel Gridley Howe's contributions to the education of the blind and his efforts in the abolitionist movement have left a lasting impact. The Perkins School for the Blind continues to be a leading institution in the field, and his work with Laura Bridgman paved the way for future educators of the deaf-blind.

See Also

• Perkins School for the Blind
• Laura Bridgman
• Abolitionism in the United States
• John Brown (abolitionist)
• Julia Ward Howe