What famous U.S. inventor and artist had a deaf wife? What was her name?

Answer:
Samuel Finley Breese Morse (better known as Samuel F.B. Morse). His second wife, Sarah Griswold Morse, was deaf, and it is believed that he was inspired to invent the telegraph because of his interest in tactile communication: he tapped messages to her in her palms.

Morse had business connections with Amos Kendall, who donated the valuable parcel of land on which the original buildings of Gallaudet University were constructed.

ACHIEVERS, HEROES, & PIONEERS

Who was the first deaf aviatrix?

Answer:
Nellie Zabel Wilhite of South Dakota was the first deaf woman to earn a pilot’s license. She also held a commercial pilot’s license, which she used for delivering air mail. She was an exuberant character who enjoyed sharing her enthusiasm for flying with others.