Читать книгу Undaunted By Blindness, 2nd Edition - Clifford E. Olstrom - Страница 4

The purpose of this book is to provide concise biographical information about four hundred notable blind persons. The people in this volume are but a small sample of the many thousands of notable blind persons in history. Most of the information about their lives comes from secondary sources. Where feasible some of the subject’s own words were used.

This book came about from a love of history and from inspiration I gained in 1968 reading Ishbel Ross’s book, Journey into Light (1951). Her book, subtitled The Story of the Education of the Blind, included biographical information about many interesting people who were blind. A few years later I began collecting biographical information on a few dozen blind people and conceived of a book containing the stories of about two hundred such persons. As research continued, the list of notable blind persons grew to over eight hundred. I selected the four hundred with the most available information about their lives and those whom I thought would be of the greatest interest to the reader.

A high percentage of those included were totally or nearly totally blind for the majority of their adult lives. However, there are also those who became blind late in life and those who had some useful vision their entire lives. All were considered legally blind, and those who became blind later in life had achievements or celebrity after becoming visually impaired. For the most part, I did not write about the notable’s romantic life, marriages, or families. I also did not include most awards and citations. Some exceptions were Grammy Awards, Knighthoods, Oscars, and Presidential Awards.

Although musicians and writers are the most common occupations of those listed, a wide variety of occupations are represented, including administrators, innovators, teachers, singers, politicians, songwriters, composers, athletes, poets, ministers, scientists, judges, physicians, radio broadcasters, mathematicians, philanthropists, historians, businesspeople, and actors.

Most of the people listed were well known or famous during their lifetimes. Some, such as Arthur Blake, Louis Braille, and Mary Ingalls, were not well known but became famous after they died.

Finally, much effort was made to check and recheck the information included; however, in case of mistakes, I apologize.

Clifford E. Olstrom

Executive Director

Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind