Deaf Persons in the Arts and Sciences: A Biographical Dictionary [Hardcover]

Harry G. Lang (Author), Bonnie Meath-Lang (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0313291705 | ISBN-13: 978-0313291708

Over the past 30 years, the number of deaf persons studying in colleges and universities has increased from several hundred to more than 12,000. Yet, attitudinal barriers continue to make it difficult for deaf people to enter some fields. This volume provides detailed biographical entries on 150 outstanding deaf individuals, highlighting their contributions to the arts and sciences. It includes several Nobel Prize laureate scientists, an Academy Award winning actress, poets, writers, world-class dancers, and a cadre of painters and sculptors. Some individuals are included for their leadership in education or politics or because they were the first deaf person to hold certain positions. Emphasis is on the subjects' contributions to the arts and the sciences, and particular attention is paid to how being deaf influenced their world view and personal direction. The volume includes many newly-discovered accomplished deaf people, and an appendix listing provides information on additional artists, writers, and scientists of note.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

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

“The compilers provide 151 biographies of deaf people who have excelled in the traditional disciplines of the arts and sciences... Alphabetically arranged by the subject's last name, each entry provides approximately two pages of succinct biographical information and concludes with a brief list of references...Highly recommended for academic and public libraries.”–Choice

“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. Interviews and correspondence were used to develop many of the contemporary entries. Females are well represented. 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.”–Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin

“Harry G. Lang and Bonie Meath-Lang present eloquent narratives about deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who have contributed much to the quality of life we enjoy. . . One cannot read the book without a greatly enhanced intellectual awareness of contributions by deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals in the arts and sciences. Anyone reading this book can feel the emotions of the time and settings in which these people lives. . . It is a book that should be in the libraries of all educational institutions as a resource for anyone who has faced a physical impariment and anyone who works with people, particularly in teaching and the service professions.”– Journal of Science for Persons with Disabilities

“...In spite of many achievements, however, attitudes remain that make it difficult for deaf persons to enter certain fields, especially the arts, science, medicine, engineering, and mathematics.To enable change and inclusion in these areas, there is a need for easily available information about the success of deaf persons in these fields. This kind of information serves both to increase awareness and to provide motivation. Deaf Persons in the Arts and Sciences serves these purposes....Deaf Persons in the Arts and Sciences is an important title for libraries serving young adult readers. The people included are models of the accomplishments of and opportunities for deaf people, and they are an inspiration to any youngster, deaf or hearing, searching for a purpose in life.”–RUSQ

“Besides being a useful reference tool for comprehensive biographical collection, this book will be even more relant in all libraries that serve young deaf readers by presenting readable information about person who can serve as role models. In short, this book is highly recommended”–ARBA

“Illuminating and provocative biographies with rare finds for the deaf community. Its colorful profiles and entertaining anecdotes make many deaf pioneers and role models come to life for the reader. An ideal tool for reference and classroom discussion.”–Robert F. Panara Professor Emeritus, NTID/RIT

“. . . 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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood (August 30, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313291705
• ISBN-13: 978-0313291708
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,320,322 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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