Born in France (1785) , Louis Laurent Marie Clerc was a year old when he lost his hearing. He eventually became a teacher at the famous Parisian school of the deaf, and later traveled to England and the United States where in 1816 he and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet established the first American School for the Deaf at Hartford, Connecticut. He served there until his death in 1869.
Laurent and his wife, Elizabeth, are buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in Hartford. In 1992, a deaf man, Alan Barwiolek, visited the Clerc gravestone's. He was appalled at the deteriorated and vandalized headstones and started a nationwide campaign to restore the headstones. His efforts drew great support from countless individuals and organizations, including the Laurent Clerc Cultural Fund of the Gallaudet University Alumni Association. Six years later, honor was brought back to the Laurent with the unveiling of new headstones at their final resting place.
Laurent Clerc refused to use his voice primarily because he believed in the importance of sign language as a natural and effective means of communication for the deaf. He felt that relying on spoken language could undermine the use of sign language and the cultural identity of the deaf community. Additionally, Clerc's commitment to teaching deaf individuals through sign language stemmed from his own experiences as a deaf person, reinforcing his dedication to promoting its use and preserving deaf culture.
Louis August le Clerc died in 1771.
Laurent Murawiec died in 2009.
Laurent DeGive died in 1901.
The scar on his face.
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet
Laurent Clerc and Thomas H Gallaudent
Albert Clerc died in 1918.
Laurent Clerc is famous for being a Deaf educator and co-founder of the first school for the Deaf in the United States, the American School for the Deaf in Connecticut. He was instrumental in promoting the use of American Sign Language and the advancement of Deaf education in America.
Laurent and his wife, Elizabeth, are buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in Hartford. In 1992, a deaf man, Alan Barwiolek, visited the Clerc gravestone's. He was appalled at the deteriorated and vandalized headstones and started a nationwide campaign to restore the headstones. His efforts drew great support from countless individuals and organizations, including the Laurent Clerc Cultural Fund of the Gallaudet University Alumni Association. Six years later, honor was brought back to the Laurent with the unveiling of new headstones at their final resting place.
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet & Laurent Clerc
Michel Le Clerc died in 1691.
Le Clerc Milfort died in 1817.
Sebastien Le Clerc died in 1714.
François le Clerc died in 1563.