Melville Ballard, in 1866, became the first undergraduate student to receive a degree from Gallaudet College. Ballard was also a teacher in the Primary Department-later known as the Kendall School-for over 50 years. Melville Ballard was born July 31, 1839, in Fryeburg, Maine. He reportedly lost his hearing in infancy. Though very curious and intelligent, young Ballard had not acquired much language other than home signs created by his hearing family members until he entered the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Conn. at the age of eleven. Ballard graduated from ASD in 1857 and was hired to teach young children at ASD. In 1860, Edward Miner Gallaudet persuaded Ballard to move to Washington, D.C. to teach in the Primary Department.
However, Ballard wanted to pursue higher education and he urged Gallaudet to establish the collegiate programs. As the prospect of the college being established seemed imminent, Ballard "retired" from teaching and in 1864 was the first person to apply to the new college for admission. He was accepted and began a special two-year course of study in September 1864. At that time there had been only one other student accept to the college who ultimately did not attend. There were six students enrolled in preparatory classes who were not officially considered admitted at the college. Therefore, during that first year, Ballard was the college's only student and he was teasingly referred to as, "The College." Remarks were made such as "The College has gone to bed." "The College has gone to the city." "The College has gone for a stroll." "The College is dissatisfied with the cafeteria food."
After Ballard finished his studies, he graduated June 27, 1866 with a Bachelor of Science degree, and returned to teaching at the Kendall School where he remained until his death.
In 1870, he went on to receive a Master of Science degree from Gallaudet. Ballard was warmly regarded by his students and continued to be an influence on them after they left his class. He also taught sign language to hearing graduate students in the Normal School, which started in 1891. He was an animated storyteller and enthralled audiences at his many lectures in Chapel Hall. He was known for his wide range of knowledge on many subjects and his meticulous attention to detail. His particular areas of interest were genealogy and politics and he carefully verified his facts before making conclusions. He was fluent in English, Latin, and French and often would be asked by Congressman General James Garfield to translate documents from the French Emperor, Napoleon III.
In 1871, Ballard and several other men formed the first literary magazine for deaf people, The Silent World. Unfortunately the magazine only lasted five years. Ballard was the first president of the Gallaudet College Alumni Association.
When Ballard died on December 15, 1912 he left behind his wife, a former student of his and four children.
Johnson, Gloria R. "Contributions of three early Kendall school teachers: James Denison, Melville Ballard and Sarah Harvey Porter". masters thesis. Gallaudet University. Washington, D.C. 1943.
Source: Gallaudet, Edward Miner. "History of the College for the Deaf 1857-1907". Gallaudet College Press. Washington, D.C. 1983. 57,62.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Men of Progress, Leaders in Business and Professional Life in and of the State of Maine", page 534, Richard Herndon, 1897. A copy of which is located in the reference section of the public library, Brunswick, Maine. The passage includes a lithograph.
"BALLARD, MELVILLE, Instructor in the Kendall School for the Deaf at Washington, District of Columbia, was born in Fryeburg, Oxford County, July 31, 1839, son of George and Susan F. (Andrews) Ballard. He is of English ancestry. His paternal grandfather [Uriah Ballard5?] came to Fryeburg from Andover, Massachusetts, and his maternal great-grandfather from Billerica, Massachusetts. He was educated at the American School for the Deaf-Mutes in Hartford, Connecticut, and at Gallaudet College, Washington, District of Columbia, from which institution he graduated in 1866. From 1858 to 1860 he was an instructor at the American School in Hartford, and from the latter year to the present time, with the exception of three years, has been a teacher at the Kendall School for the Deaf in Washington. A month before his graduation at Gallaudet College, Mr. Ballard received an offer of a position as instructor at the California Institute for the Deaf, and shortly afterwards a similar position at the Michigan Institute was tendered him, both of which he declined. In 1881, he wrote an article entitled, "Reflections of a Deaf-Mute before Education," which professor Samuel Porter, a brother of Noah Porter, President of Yale College, cited in support of the affirmative side of the question, "Is thought possible without language?" in the October 1881 number of the Princeton Review. The discussion attracted metaphysicians. Several years ago Mr. Ballard wrote a letter advising the establishment of a State school for the education of deaf-mute children within the borders of Maine [perhaps the impetus for the Gov. Baxter School in Falmouth?]; and at the subsequent sessions of the Sate Legislature in Augusta he sent communications to the members of that body, urging the necessity of taking the step. In these letters he deprecated the pursuit of the perioral method of instruction as practiced in the Portland School for the Deaf, and urged the introduction of the combined system. This system subsequently, in 1895, supplanted the old one in the Portland institution, a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Public Schools, after examining and comparing the methods at Hartford, Connecticut, and Northampton, Massachusetts, having pronounced the combined system superior to the other, and recommended its adoption. At the organization of the Alumni Association of Gallaudet College in 1889, Mr. Ballard was elected President of the Association, in which office he served for four years. He was married July 15, 1874, to Grace Anne Freeman (a former student of his), of Baltimore, Maryland; they have three children: Gertrude E., Walter E., and Mary F. Ballard.
However, Ballard wanted to pursue higher education and he urged Gallaudet to establish the collegiate programs. As the prospect of the college being established seemed imminent, Ballard "retired" from teaching and in 1864 was the first person to apply to the new college for admission. He was accepted and began a special two-year course of study in September 1864. At that time there had been only one other student accept to the college who ultimately did not attend. There were six students enrolled in preparatory classes who were not officially considered admitted at the college. Therefore, during that first year, Ballard was the college's only student and he was teasingly referred to as, "The College." Remarks were made such as "The College has gone to bed." "The College has gone to the city." "The College has gone for a stroll." "The College is dissatisfied with the cafeteria food."
After Ballard finished his studies, he graduated June 27, 1866 with a Bachelor of Science degree, and returned to teaching at the Kendall School where he remained until his death.
In 1870, he went on to receive a Master of Science degree from Gallaudet. Ballard was warmly regarded by his students and continued to be an influence on them after they left his class. He also taught sign language to hearing graduate students in the Normal School, which started in 1891. He was an animated storyteller and enthralled audiences at his many lectures in Chapel Hall. He was known for his wide range of knowledge on many subjects and his meticulous attention to detail. His particular areas of interest were genealogy and politics and he carefully verified his facts before making conclusions. He was fluent in English, Latin, and French and often would be asked by Congressman General James Garfield to translate documents from the French Emperor, Napoleon III.
In 1871, Ballard and several other men formed the first literary magazine for deaf people, The Silent World. Unfortunately the magazine only lasted five years. Ballard was the first president of the Gallaudet College Alumni Association.
When Ballard died on December 15, 1912 he left behind his wife, a former student of his and four children.
Johnson, Gloria R. "Contributions of three early Kendall school teachers: James Denison, Melville Ballard and Sarah Harvey Porter". masters thesis. Gallaudet University. Washington, D.C. 1943.
Source: Gallaudet, Edward Miner. "History of the College for the Deaf 1857-1907". Gallaudet College Press. Washington, D.C. 1983. 57,62.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Men of Progress, Leaders in Business and Professional Life in and of the State of Maine", page 534, Richard Herndon, 1897. A copy of which is located in the reference section of the public library, Brunswick, Maine. The passage includes a lithograph.
"BALLARD, MELVILLE, Instructor in the Kendall School for the Deaf at Washington, District of Columbia, was born in Fryeburg, Oxford County, July 31, 1839, son of George and Susan F. (Andrews) Ballard. He is of English ancestry. His paternal grandfather [Uriah Ballard5?] came to Fryeburg from Andover, Massachusetts, and his maternal great-grandfather from Billerica, Massachusetts. He was educated at the American School for the Deaf-Mutes in Hartford, Connecticut, and at Gallaudet College, Washington, District of Columbia, from which institution he graduated in 1866. From 1858 to 1860 he was an instructor at the American School in Hartford, and from the latter year to the present time, with the exception of three years, has been a teacher at the Kendall School for the Deaf in Washington. A month before his graduation at Gallaudet College, Mr. Ballard received an offer of a position as instructor at the California Institute for the Deaf, and shortly afterwards a similar position at the Michigan Institute was tendered him, both of which he declined. In 1881, he wrote an article entitled, "Reflections of a Deaf-Mute before Education," which professor Samuel Porter, a brother of Noah Porter, President of Yale College, cited in support of the affirmative side of the question, "Is thought possible without language?" in the October 1881 number of the Princeton Review. The discussion attracted metaphysicians. Several years ago Mr. Ballard wrote a letter advising the establishment of a State school for the education of deaf-mute children within the borders of Maine [perhaps the impetus for the Gov. Baxter School in Falmouth?]; and at the subsequent sessions of the Sate Legislature in Augusta he sent communications to the members of that body, urging the necessity of taking the step. In these letters he deprecated the pursuit of the perioral method of instruction as practiced in the Portland School for the Deaf, and urged the introduction of the combined system. This system subsequently, in 1895, supplanted the old one in the Portland institution, a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Public Schools, after examining and comparing the methods at Hartford, Connecticut, and Northampton, Massachusetts, having pronounced the combined system superior to the other, and recommended its adoption. At the organization of the Alumni Association of Gallaudet College in 1889, Mr. Ballard was elected President of the Association, in which office he served for four years. He was married July 15, 1874, to Grace Anne Freeman (a former student of his), of Baltimore, Maryland; they have three children: Gertrude E., Walter E., and Mary F. Ballard.
Melville Ballard, in 1866, became the first undergraduate student to receive a degree from Gallaudet College. Ballard was also a teacher in the Primary Department-later known as the Kendall School-for over 50 years. Melville Ballard was born July 31, 1839, in Fryeburg, Maine. He reportedly lost his hearing in infancy. Though very curious and intelligent, young Ballard had not acquired much language other than home signs created by his hearing family members until he entered the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Conn. at the age of eleven. Ballard graduated from ASD in 1857 and was hired to teach young children at ASD. In 1860, Edward Miner Gallaudet persuaded Ballard to move to Washington, D.C. to teach in the Primary Department.
However, Ballard wanted to pursue higher education and he urged Gallaudet to establish the collegiate programs. As the prospect of the college being established seemed imminent, Ballard "retired" from teaching and in 1864 was the first person to apply to the new college for admission. He was accepted and began a special two-year course of study in September 1864. At that time there had been only one other student accept to the college who ultimately did not attend. There were six students enrolled in preparatory classes who were not officially considered admitted at the college. Therefore, during that first year, Ballard was the college's only student and he was teasingly referred to as, "The College." Remarks were made such as "The College has gone to bed." "The College has gone to the city." "The College has gone for a stroll." "The College is dissatisfied with the cafeteria food."
After Ballard finished his studies, he graduated June 27, 1866 with a Bachelor of Science degree, and returned to teaching at the Kendall School where he remained until his death.
In 1870, he went on to receive a Master of Science degree from Gallaudet. Ballard was warmly regarded by his students and continued to be an influence on them after they left his class. He also taught sign language to hearing graduate students in the Normal School, which started in 1891. He was an animated storyteller and enthralled audiences at his many lectures in Chapel Hall. He was known for his wide range of knowledge on many subjects and his meticulous attention to detail. His particular areas of interest were genealogy and politics and he carefully verified his facts before making conclusions. He was fluent in English, Latin, and French and often would be asked by Congressman General James Garfield to translate documents from the French Emperor, Napoleon III.
In 1871, Ballard and several other men formed the first literary magazine for deaf people, The Silent World. Unfortunately the magazine only lasted five years. Ballard was the first president of the Gallaudet College Alumni Association.
When Ballard died on December 15, 1912 he left behind his wife, a former student of his and four children.
Johnson, Gloria R. "Contributions of three early Kendall school teachers: James Denison, Melville Ballard and Sarah Harvey Porter". masters thesis. Gallaudet University. Washington, D.C. 1943.
Source: Gallaudet, Edward Miner. "History of the College for the Deaf 1857-1907". Gallaudet College Press. Washington, D.C. 1983. 57,62.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Men of Progress, Leaders in Business and Professional Life in and of the State of Maine", page 534, Richard Herndon, 1897. A copy of which is located in the reference section of the public library, Brunswick, Maine. The passage includes a lithograph.
"BALLARD, MELVILLE, Instructor in the Kendall School for the Deaf at Washington, District of Columbia, was born in Fryeburg, Oxford County, July 31, 1839, son of George and Susan F. (Andrews) Ballard. He is of English ancestry. His paternal grandfather [Uriah Ballard5?] came to Fryeburg from Andover, Massachusetts, and his maternal great-grandfather from Billerica, Massachusetts. He was educated at the American School for the Deaf-Mutes in Hartford, Connecticut, and at Gallaudet College, Washington, District of Columbia, from which institution he graduated in 1866. From 1858 to 1860 he was an instructor at the American School in Hartford, and from the latter year to the present time, with the exception of three years, has been a teacher at the Kendall School for the Deaf in Washington. A month before his graduation at Gallaudet College, Mr. Ballard received an offer of a position as instructor at the California Institute for the Deaf, and shortly afterwards a similar position at the Michigan Institute was tendered him, both of which he declined. In 1881, he wrote an article entitled, "Reflections of a Deaf-Mute before Education," which professor Samuel Porter, a brother of Noah Porter, President of Yale College, cited in support of the affirmative side of the question, "Is thought possible without language?" in the October 1881 number of the Princeton Review. The discussion attracted metaphysicians. Several years ago Mr. Ballard wrote a letter advising the establishment of a State school for the education of deaf-mute children within the borders of Maine [perhaps the impetus for the Gov. Baxter School in Falmouth?]; and at the subsequent sessions of the Sate Legislature in Augusta he sent communications to the members of that body, urging the necessity of taking the step. In these letters he deprecated the pursuit of the perioral method of instruction as practiced in the Portland School for the Deaf, and urged the introduction of the combined system. This system subsequently, in 1895, supplanted the old one in the Portland institution, a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Public Schools, after examining and comparing the methods at Hartford, Connecticut, and Northampton, Massachusetts, having pronounced the combined system superior to the other, and recommended its adoption. At the organization of the Alumni Association of Gallaudet College in 1889, Mr. Ballard was elected President of the Association, in which office he served for four years. He was married July 15, 1874, to Grace Anne Freeman (a former student of his), of Baltimore, Maryland; they have three children: Gertrude E., Walter E., and Mary F. Ballard.
However, Ballard wanted to pursue higher education and he urged Gallaudet to establish the collegiate programs. As the prospect of the college being established seemed imminent, Ballard "retired" from teaching and in 1864 was the first person to apply to the new college for admission. He was accepted and began a special two-year course of study in September 1864. At that time there had been only one other student accept to the college who ultimately did not attend. There were six students enrolled in preparatory classes who were not officially considered admitted at the college. Therefore, during that first year, Ballard was the college's only student and he was teasingly referred to as, "The College." Remarks were made such as "The College has gone to bed." "The College has gone to the city." "The College has gone for a stroll." "The College is dissatisfied with the cafeteria food."
After Ballard finished his studies, he graduated June 27, 1866 with a Bachelor of Science degree, and returned to teaching at the Kendall School where he remained until his death.
In 1870, he went on to receive a Master of Science degree from Gallaudet. Ballard was warmly regarded by his students and continued to be an influence on them after they left his class. He also taught sign language to hearing graduate students in the Normal School, which started in 1891. He was an animated storyteller and enthralled audiences at his many lectures in Chapel Hall. He was known for his wide range of knowledge on many subjects and his meticulous attention to detail. His particular areas of interest were genealogy and politics and he carefully verified his facts before making conclusions. He was fluent in English, Latin, and French and often would be asked by Congressman General James Garfield to translate documents from the French Emperor, Napoleon III.
In 1871, Ballard and several other men formed the first literary magazine for deaf people, The Silent World. Unfortunately the magazine only lasted five years. Ballard was the first president of the Gallaudet College Alumni Association.
When Ballard died on December 15, 1912 he left behind his wife, a former student of his and four children.
Johnson, Gloria R. "Contributions of three early Kendall school teachers: James Denison, Melville Ballard and Sarah Harvey Porter". masters thesis. Gallaudet University. Washington, D.C. 1943.
Source: Gallaudet, Edward Miner. "History of the College for the Deaf 1857-1907". Gallaudet College Press. Washington, D.C. 1983. 57,62.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Men of Progress, Leaders in Business and Professional Life in and of the State of Maine", page 534, Richard Herndon, 1897. A copy of which is located in the reference section of the public library, Brunswick, Maine. The passage includes a lithograph.
"BALLARD, MELVILLE, Instructor in the Kendall School for the Deaf at Washington, District of Columbia, was born in Fryeburg, Oxford County, July 31, 1839, son of George and Susan F. (Andrews) Ballard. He is of English ancestry. His paternal grandfather [Uriah Ballard5?] came to Fryeburg from Andover, Massachusetts, and his maternal great-grandfather from Billerica, Massachusetts. He was educated at the American School for the Deaf-Mutes in Hartford, Connecticut, and at Gallaudet College, Washington, District of Columbia, from which institution he graduated in 1866. From 1858 to 1860 he was an instructor at the American School in Hartford, and from the latter year to the present time, with the exception of three years, has been a teacher at the Kendall School for the Deaf in Washington. A month before his graduation at Gallaudet College, Mr. Ballard received an offer of a position as instructor at the California Institute for the Deaf, and shortly afterwards a similar position at the Michigan Institute was tendered him, both of which he declined. In 1881, he wrote an article entitled, "Reflections of a Deaf-Mute before Education," which professor Samuel Porter, a brother of Noah Porter, President of Yale College, cited in support of the affirmative side of the question, "Is thought possible without language?" in the October 1881 number of the Princeton Review. The discussion attracted metaphysicians. Several years ago Mr. Ballard wrote a letter advising the establishment of a State school for the education of deaf-mute children within the borders of Maine [perhaps the impetus for the Gov. Baxter School in Falmouth?]; and at the subsequent sessions of the Sate Legislature in Augusta he sent communications to the members of that body, urging the necessity of taking the step. In these letters he deprecated the pursuit of the perioral method of instruction as practiced in the Portland School for the Deaf, and urged the introduction of the combined system. This system subsequently, in 1895, supplanted the old one in the Portland institution, a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Public Schools, after examining and comparing the methods at Hartford, Connecticut, and Northampton, Massachusetts, having pronounced the combined system superior to the other, and recommended its adoption. At the organization of the Alumni Association of Gallaudet College in 1889, Mr. Ballard was elected President of the Association, in which office he served for four years. He was married July 15, 1874, to Grace Anne Freeman (a former student of his), of Baltimore, Maryland; they have three children: Gertrude E., Walter E., and Mary F. Ballard.
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