A New Method: The Story of Louis Braille
This biography was originally published in book form by the Louis Braille Center, the predecessor of today’s Louis Braille School.
by Nancy Lucas Williams
Copyright © Nancy Lucas Williams.
All rights reserved.
The original charcoal portrait
hangs in the Louis Braille School.
Louis Braille was born January 4, 1809, in Coupvray, France. An injury to his eye at age three resulted in total loss of vision. When he was ten, he entered the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, the world’s first school for blind children. There he would live, study, and later teach.
When Louis was fifteen, he developed an ingenious system of reading and writing by means of raised dots. Two years later he adapted his method to musical notation.
Mr. Braille accepted a full-time teaching position at the Institute when he was nineteen. He was a kind, compassionate teacher and an accomplished musician. He gave his life in selfless service to his pupils, to his friends, and to the perfection of his raised dot method, which is known today as Braille.
Louis Braille died at age forty-three, confident that his mission on earth was completed.
You may learn more about the life of Louis Braille by continuing to read our book, A New Method: The Story of Louis Braille. The first chapter, Valentin Haüy, introduces the man who opened the world’s first school for the blind in Paris, France.
Next: Chapter 1. Valentin Haüy