Being one of the biggest deaf activists in the 19th century, Ferdinand Berthier made his reputation as a remarkable public figure. He was born deaf in the French village of Louhans, and his journey displays his unwavering dedication to people with hearing disabilities.
He had exceptional intelligence and curiosity to find the depths of existence, which allowed him to be an inspiration for not only the deaf community but for everyone to stand up for themselves. In this blog, we will shed light on Ferdinand Berthier’s life to celebrate his legacy, so read till the end!
The life journey of Ferdinand Berthier is full of inspiring twists and turns that together assist in making up for a remarkable leader for the hearing disability community.
He was born on September 30, 1803, in a small French village; despite that, his parents were very supportive of his disability. This allowed them to secure their son into one of the finest international schools, the National Institute for the Deaf in Paris, at the age of eight.
Due to his tremendous skills and curiosity, he was able to grasp everything in no time and further inspired his classmates to turn their disabilities into a benefits. Moreover, he was admitted to the school to learn vocational skills and literacy; however, he ended up teaching there as well.
Intrigued to learn more about this historical legend? Keep scrolling to discover!
After almost 2 decades, Ferdinand Berthier became the senior professor at the same school he graduated from. This not only made him an inspiring teacher, but he also secured a place in a lot of prominent history books as a motivational historian.
When it comes to the philosophy of Ferdinand Berthier, we really take into account how he was mentored by Abbé de l’Épée, who was a successor to Abbé Sicard. His teaching shaped Berthier as an individual and allowed him to make a commitment to helping the deaf community.
In late 1837, Ferdinand Berthier asked the French government to create the Société Centrale des Sourds-muets. This organization would aim to bring together all the people with hearing disabilities from across the globe to share intelligence and their insights. In 1838, the petition was granted, and the organization was able to support and form a common ground for people with disabilities.
It is quite evident by the books how, according to Ferdinand Berthier, having a documented biography and books was of significant importance. He has appeared in a bunch of educational contributions for his impeccable knowledge and hard work as an activist.
Here is a list of Ferdinand Berthier books that he has either worked on or has been a part of.
| English Name | The Abbé de l’Épée, His Life, His Works, His Teaching System |
| Author | Ferdinand Berthier |
| About | The book serves as a biography of Abbé de l’Épée, who was a founder of the deaf school in Paris. |
| English Name | The True Cause of the Superiority of Deaf-Mutes Educated by the French Method over Those Educated by the German Method |
| Author | Ferdinand Berthier |
| About | In this book, the author suggests how the French method of sign language is much better than Germany’s oralist system. |
| English Name | Historical Notice on the Institution of Deaf-Mutes in Paris and on the Progress of Deaf-Mute Education in France |
| Author | Ferdinand Berthier |
| About | Berthier sheds light on the importance and significance of having a deaf education system and the undying role of the international school for the deaf in the city of Paris. |
| English Name | The Illustrious Deaf-Mutes |
| Author | Ferdinand Berthier |
| About | This book includes a brief description of all the well-known deaf individuals who have made recognizable contributions to society in different areas. |
| English Name | Funeral Orations |
| Author | Ferdinand Berthier |
| About | Berthier tries to highlight the achievements taken by multiple leaders of the deaf community to recognize their legacy so that it stays unforgotten. |
These are the books that Ferdinand Berthier has worked on, in one way or another.
At the age of 83, the famous deaf activist passed away. Despite being a well-known activist, nobody documented the exact details of his demise. His protests still left a remarkable effect on the entire community of people with hearing disabilities.
It motivated other people to stand up and participate in frequent campaigns to raise awareness and normalize the taboo around deaf people. This allowed him to become the first deaf individual to receive the highest French order of merit, the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur.
The above-mentioned is one of the biggest French awards, which was established in 1802, by Napoleon Bonaparte. Further, the merit compromises five classes, including the military and civil.
Ferdinand Berthier is a famous activist for people with hearing disabilities. He has a Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur attached to his name for his recognizable work for the deaf community. Further, he has also authored numerous books dedicated to his society so that the admirable work of deaf leaders does not go in vain.
Other than this, on September 30, 2023, Google, the biggest search engine, also posted a doodle for him to honor his legacy. This allows us to understand how Ferdinand Berthier was a prominent figure of the 1800s.
Ferdinand Berthier is a famous history activist for people with hearing disabilities. He had hearing disabilities himself and wanted to look out for others with the same issue, which makes him inspiring.
Yes, Ferdinand Berthier was born deaf from the time of his birth. Moreover, his parents were his biggest supporters, which allowed him to become a renowned leader.
Yes, on Ferdinand Berthier’s birthday in 2023, Google uploaded a special doodle for the French educator.
No, Ferdinand Berthier isn’t the first deaf activist. However, he became one of the most remarkable and motivational historians. He is still appreciated a lot in his community.
Palak Shukla is a passionate Journalist and entertainment content writer covering the latest trends, celebrity interviews, spicy gossip, and controversies. She has a keen eye for trending news and the ability to provide content with a perfect mix of the glamor world. Palak is known for her amazing storytelling and in-depth knowledge about the upcoming events in the entertainment world. She enjoys watching films and reviews and offers complete analysis to readers.
