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Louis Laurent Marie Clerc is Born
Clerc is born to an important family that practices law. -
Clerc Loses Hearing
When Clerc is about a year old, he falls into a fireplace, resulting in a loss of hearing. -
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Clerc Stays Home
For the following 11 years, Clerc stays home and is given neither an education or a form of communication due to his lack of hearing. -
Clerc Attends School
At the age of 12, Clerc is sent to a school for the deaf. Clerc excelled academically, but unfortunately a voice teacher of his would strike him in the chin for his mispronunciations. This caused him to later refuse to learn to speak using his voice. -
Clerc Becomes a Teahcer
Clerc is hired as a teacher at the School for the Deaf in Paris and meets Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet during a lecture. -
Clerc and Gallaudet
Gallaudet is given private lessons by Clerc, resulting in Gallaudet inviting Clerc to go to America and help him establish a school for the deaf there. -
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Growing Financially
Clerc and Gallaudet work to demonstrate their teaching methods in order to gain financial support and achieve their goals. -
Clerc Goes to America
Clerc and Gallaudet leave for America on board the ship Mary Augusta. Along the way, Clerc teaches Gallaudet “the method of the signs for abstract ideas.” while Gallaudet teaches Clerc English. -
The Beginning of the American School for the Deaf
Rented rooms made up a school of which opened to several students. Gallaudet was the principal, and Clerc was the head teacher. (Originally called the Connecticut Asylum at Hartford for the Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons) -
Clerc Gathers Support
Clerc goes to D.C. to gather support from Congress and is applauded for his work by the President. -
Clerc and Connecticut
Clerc becomes the first deaf person to address the Connecticut Legislature. -
Clerc Retires
After 41 years of teaching in the U.S. (50 years total) Clerc retires at 73, maintaining interest in the growth of deaf education. -
Louis Laurent Marie Clerc Passes Away
At the age of 83, Clerc passes away.