04/11/2026
America's 20th President, James A. Garfield, had such a short time in office before his assassination, but he was still able to make a tremendous impact in life as a college president, Civil War general, congressman and family man. He was an early advocate for Galludet University and a personal friend to Edward Galludet. As Deaf History Month comes to a close, it's wonderful to reflect on those allies and early pioneers who advocated for equity in education for people who are Deaf.
On April 8, 1864, Gallaudet University- the world’s first institution dedicated to advancing education for the deaf and hard of hearing- was founded in Washington D.C. The school was founded by Edward Miner Gallaudet, son of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet who was the founder of the first deaf school in the United States, The American School of the Deaf. Edward Gallaudet was a strong advocate for his institution and promoted the university to many groups, including Congress. At this time, James A. Garfield was serving as a congressman, and had become a strong advocate for continuing support of the university.
On June 21, 1870, Garfield spoke in the House in support of a bill to provide $70,000 of funding for building construction for the University. Garfield eventually served on the Board for the school and became very close friends with E.M. Gallaudet. On multiple occasions in his diary, Garfield recalls spending time with his friend and attending his lectures. After Garfield died in 1881, Gallaudet reflected, “the death… [of] President Garfield was a personal grief to me, for strong ties of friendship had grown up which made me feel I could lean and trust [him]”.
Every year, from March 13- April 15, National Deaf History Month is celebrated to commemorate the achievements of people who are deaf and hard of hearing. This period of time, between March and April, was selected due to three main turning points in deaf education history, including the historic founding’s of Gallaudet University. The other two turning points include, April 15, 1817 when Gallaudet’s father opened The American School for the Deaf, and over 100 years later, on March 13, 1988 when Gallaudet University hired its first deaf president in response to its students’ Deaf Presidents Now movement.
Pictured: Chapel Hall, 1870s, now Gallaudet University Museum. Students raised money to commission a bust of Garfield which sits in the building. (gallaudet.edu)
