Daniel Chester French sculpted this bronzed plaster cast in 1888. The bronze sculptures were cast in 1889 at Gallaudet University and in 1924 at the American School for the Deaf. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, who brought sign language to the U.S., is represented showing the letter "A" to a deaf girl, Alice Cogswell. Funds for the memorial were raised by Gallaudet's son, Edward, and came from the deaf in every territory and state in the country. A plaque with more information about Gallaudet is located to the left of the statue. The plaster cast was presented to Lorado Taft by the sculptor in 1926. The University purchased the statue in 1937. The sculpture is located at the north entrance of the library.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign