Hartford on the Brain

Silhouette portrait of Alice Cogswell.

Pictured above is Alice Cogswell in one of the only recorded portraits of her. Alice Cogswell lost her hearing at the age of two from an illness. This did not stop her or her friend Thomas Gallaudet from showing the world that deafness was not a mental illness. Gallaudet went to England to find the best methods for deaf education and would not stop until he could prove that Alice and everyone in the deaf community is just as intelligent as anyone else.When Thomas Gallaudet returned home and opened the American School for the Deaf, Alice Cogswell was one of the seven students to be enrolled in the first class. She attended the American School for the deaf from 1817-1824, eventually graduating at the age of 19. During her time at school she made many great accomplishments. At the time she received an education, the United States had no standardized sign language that existed. From Gallaudet’s research with Laurent Cler, a French teacher, the American School for the Deaf created the new standardized language, American Sign Language. This made Alice Cogswell the first on the list for learning American Sign Language. She was also the first person to be taught the manual finger spelled alphabet. However, Alice communicated with a combination of American Sign Language and verbal speaking.

After graduation, Alice continued to work to break standards of deafness. She loved to travel and was very social. Though it is unknown what she did exactly to promote deaf education, she is still an inspiring figure. She broke down many stereotypes of deafness and intelligence, as she was very bright herself. Although she was obviously skilled at American Sign Langue, but she had many other capabilities. Alice also had an interest in drawing and writing. Pictured below is a page from the handwritten Catechism that she kept. I took this image at the museum at the American School for the Deaf that is still open today in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Alice Cogswell’s Catechism from June 10, 1829

Katherine Carver, who has lived in Hartford for about 50 years now, is working on research about Alice Cogswell. In an interview I had with Katherine, who attended Gallaudet University and who also has a hearing impairment, she said she is connected to Alice in that they both never gave up. When talking about perspective on life and whether the glass is half full or half empty, Katherine responded with “mines always overflowing.” Alice was able to have a similar positive perspective on life because of her family dynamic. Alice had two caring parents, Dr. Mason Finch Cogswell, and Mary Austin Ledyard. She had three sisters and one brother, have an amazing relationship with her sisters. However, at a young age her siblings did not speak to her much, as she had little ways to communicate with them. They had a few personalized hand symbols that would not be understood outside the household, but Mason Cogswell was adamant on finding what was best for Alice.

Mason Cogswell played a significant role in Alice’s story. He was a member of the Connecticut Society and was the foster son Samuel Huntington, president of the Continental Congress and governor of Connecticut.  Mason was a notable physician and an accomplished surgeon. He was determined to help Alice, which is why he used his connections and raised lots of money in order to send Gallaudet to England to do research. Without Mason Cogswell, Gallaudet would have never been able to do research, come back and open the American School for the Deaf, and start a new beginning for Alice. Alice had a strong relationship with her father, but when he passed away on December 17, 1830, at the age of 69, Alice was heartbroken. Alice then passed away 13 days later on December 30, 1830, at the age of 25. Both Mason and Alice Cogswell are buried in The Old North Cemetery on Main Street in Hartford, Connecticut. Pictured below is an image I took at their grave site in Lot A of The Old North Cemetery.

Mason and Alice Cogswell’s grave site in Old North Cemetery.

In addition to the Old North Cemetery, there are a few more sites that are in Connecticut and other states that recognize Alice Cogswell. Pictured below is a statue of Alice and Gallaudet in front of the American School for the Deaf today. Another statue of Alice can be found in Gallaudet Square on Farmington Ave and Asylum Ave in West Hartford. Asylum Ave is named after the original name for the America School for the Deaf which was the American Asylum for the Education and Instruction for Deaf and Dumb Persons. This same statue below is also located at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C.

Statue of Alice Cogswell and Thomas Gallaudet in front of the American School for the Deaf.

In conclusion, Alice Cogswell was a prominent figure when it comes to the deaf education system we have today, especially at the American School for the Deaf. Being one of the first students at the American School for the Deaf and one of the first students to learn the American Sign Language were amazing accomplishments that broke many standards of deafness at the time. She was a person who never gave up and continued to break down stereotypes even after graduating. Although her perspective one life kept her going, she would not have been able to do it without great support from her friends and family. In particular, Mason Cogswell and Thomas Gallaudet played a significant role in beginning Alice’s journey. Although her journey ended at the young age of 25, it is still inspiring to hear her story and know that she grew up, lived, and learned right here in Hartford, Connecticut.