Annie Jump Cannon was born Dec. 11, 1863. The deaf astronomer was also a suffragist. New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper via Wikimedia Commons Cannon lost most of her hearing in childhood, which has been attributed to scarlet fever. The valedictorian of her class at Wellesley College, she became an astronomer at the Harvard College Observatory. She worked with another prominent deaf astronomer: Henrietta Swan Leavitt. Despite getting paid at half the rate paid to m

Thomas Gallaudet was born on this day (Dec. 10) in 1787. Birthplace - Philadelphia Family - Oldest of 12 children College - Attended Yale at age 14, graduating with highest honors at 17 Ministry - Ordained in 1814, sometimes preaching at church Deaf Interest - Became interested in deaf issues when he met a 9-year-old deaf neighbor School - Founded The American School for the Deaf   in Hartford, Connecticut which opened its doors in 1817 Travels - Learned the manual form of si