BRIDGMAN, LAURA DEWEY American blind deaf-mute, was born on Dec. 21, 1829, at Hanover (N.H.), U.S.A. When two years old she had an attack of scarlet fever which permanently destroyed her sight and hearing. Through an article published by Dr. Mussey, head of the medical department of Dartmouth college, her case was brought to the attention of Dr. S. G. Howe, head of the Perkins institution for the blind at Boston. In Oct. 1837 Laura entered the school. Dr. Howe at once set him self to teach her the alphabet by touch. He first pasted on several common articles, such as keys, spoons, knives, little paper labels with the names of the articles printed in raised letters. As soon as she had learned all the names in this fashion she was taught the individual letters, and gradually learned the alphabet and the ten digits. In Jan. 1842 Charles Dickens visited the institution, and afterwards wrote enthusiastically in American Notes of Dr. Howe's success with Laura. In 1843, funds were obtained for de voting a special teacher to her, and first Miss Smith, then Miss Wight, and then Miss Paddock were appointed ; Laura by this time was learning geography and elementary astronomy. In 1887 her jubilee was celebrated at the institution. In 1889 she was taken ill and died on May 24. She was buried at Hanover.
See Maud Howe and Florence Howe Hall, Laura Bridgman (1903), which contains a bibliography ; Mary S. Lamson, Life and Education of Laura Dewey Bridgman (1878) .