These detailed biographies of 150 outstanding deaf individuals include Nobel Prize and Academy Award winners, educators, politicians, scientists (with an emphasis on the physical sciences), and "firsts," i.e., the first deaf person to hold a particular position. As expected, Beethoven, Edison, Matlin, and Catlin are here, as well as others, such as Frederick A. P. Bernard, president of Columbia College for 25 years, and Linda Bove, "Linda the Librarian" on Sesame Street. Most entries treat nineteenth-and twentieth-century individuals. About a dozen of them are also featured in the
Gallaudet Encyclopedia of Deaf People and Deafness (McGraw, 1987). Interviews and correspondence were used to develop many of the contemporary entries. Females are well represented.
Deaf is used in its broadest sense and includes those with congenital as well as late deafness.
The introduction serves as a historical overview of "deaf persons' emergence in the arts and sciences." Each alphabetically arranged entry includes date of birth and death, nationality, field of endeavor, brief background, focus on professional accomplishments, and references. Some entries are illustrated with black-and-white portraits. Entries pay particular attention to how being deaf influenced an individual's career decisions. One appendix lists additional deaf individuals for those who wish to do further research. These are arranged by field: artists, entertainers, scientists, and writers/poets. The other appendix lists the work's entries by field. A brief bibliography is followed by an index.
Designed for students and scholars, the work attempts to provide role models for deaf individuals and to encourage them to enter various professions. It will be popular at middle and high schools serving the deaf and hard of hearing. Public and academic libraries should also consider purchase.
Review
." . . Deaf Persons in the Arts and Sciences: A Biographical Dictionary is not only a timely piece of work, but also it is long overdue. This book will make a valuable contribution to the professional growth of inservice and preservice individuals in the education of deaf students."-Peter V. Paul, Ph.D. Ohio State University
