Laura Dewey Bridgman, 1878 1878

This 1878 photograph, likely created for an album or publication, captures Laura Dewey Bridgman, a notable figure in the history of education for the blind and deaf. The anonymous artist used a formal portrait style, presenting Bridgman in a seated pose with a calm expression. The image, with its high-contrast black and white tones, highlights Bridgman's features, particularly her eyeglasses, further emphasizing her identity as someone who overcame extraordinary sensory limitations. Bridgman's story of resilience and intellectual achievement inspires viewers to this day.