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Adelia M. Hoyt memoir and photographs
Page 59
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UNFOLDING YEARS, 59 Campbell, was the blind American who founded and so long directed the Royal Normal College for the Blind in England. For his remarkable achievement he was knighted by King Edward VIII. In spite of my illness. the meeting and the personalities I met were an inspiration to me, and I returned home full of enthusiasm and determination to apply what I learned to the work in Iowa. On my way home I visited my cousin Jessie in Janesville, Wisconsin. Her mother, my Aunt Adelia, had passed away some years before. I also spent some time with my relatives in Chicago and stayed a few days with Blanche Fearing's mother and sister. That was my longest trip alone and the farthest east I had ever been. When on my return trip I crossed the Mississippi river into Iowa and heard a news boy calling: "Des Moines Register and Leader," I could have hugged him it sounded so good to me! Among those I met at the Convention and again in Chicago was Robert B. Irwin, a young blind man just graduated from Harvard and looking for his first position in his chosen field -- Work for the Blind. I may say right here that he soon found a place in the work and went on to greater and still greater things. In 1917 the American Foundation for the Blind was established with headquarters in New York City. He secured a position there and in time became its Executive Director. He now holds the title of Doctor Irwin. To Charles F.F. Campbell, the pioneer, and to Robert B. Irwin, the blind of this country owe a lasting debt of gratitude. One of the topics discussed at the Convention of 1909 was the Type Question -- the relative merits of New York Point and American Braille. Each had its loyal supporters and discussions waxed hot and heavy with real bitterness among the rival factions. All realized the futility of going on printing books in two systems. but each felt that his system should be the one chosen. A committee was appointed to study the whole matter and report to the National Association. Mr. Irwin the new President of the Association wrote to me asking if I would serve on such a committee. It was a tempting offer. It meant travelling
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UNFOLDING YEARS, 59 Campbell, was the blind American who founded and so long directed the Royal Normal College for the Blind in England. For his remarkable achievement he was knighted by King Edward VIII. In spite of my illness. the meeting and the personalities I met were an inspiration to me, and I returned home full of enthusiasm and determination to apply what I learned to the work in Iowa. On my way home I visited my cousin Jessie in Janesville, Wisconsin. Her mother, my Aunt Adelia, had passed away some years before. I also spent some time with my relatives in Chicago and stayed a few days with Blanche Fearing's mother and sister. That was my longest trip alone and the farthest east I had ever been. When on my return trip I crossed the Mississippi river into Iowa and heard a news boy calling: "Des Moines Register and Leader," I could have hugged him it sounded so good to me! Among those I met at the Convention and again in Chicago was Robert B. Irwin, a young blind man just graduated from Harvard and looking for his first position in his chosen field -- Work for the Blind. I may say right here that he soon found a place in the work and went on to greater and still greater things. In 1917 the American Foundation for the Blind was established with headquarters in New York City. He secured a position there and in time became its Executive Director. He now holds the title of Doctor Irwin. To Charles F.F. Campbell, the pioneer, and to Robert B. Irwin, the blind of this country owe a lasting debt of gratitude. One of the topics discussed at the Convention of 1909 was the Type Question -- the relative merits of New York Point and American Braille. Each had its loyal supporters and discussions waxed hot and heavy with real bitterness among the rival factions. All realized the futility of going on printing books in two systems. but each felt that his system should be the one chosen. A committee was appointed to study the whole matter and report to the National Association. Mr. Irwin the new President of the Association wrote to me asking if I would serve on such a committee. It was a tempting offer. It meant travelling
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