James M. Nack
James M. Nack | |
---|---|
Born | American poet | January 4, 1809
Known for | maybe the first book published in the United States by a deaf man |
Notable work | The Legend of the Rocks, And Other Poems |
Spouse |
Martha W. Simon (m. 1838) |
Children | daughters |
James M. Nack (January 4, 1809 – September 23, 1879) was a deaf
In 1809, Nack was born in New York City to a poor family. Unable to afford school, Nack was taught by his sister and attended The
Despite his disabilities, Nack continued to write. At age 12, he authored a play.[2]
Nack attended the New York Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb in Manhattan from 1818 until 1823. One of Nack's poems, The Blue-Eyed Maid, got the attention of Abraham Asten, clerk of the city and county of New York. Asten gave Nack a job in the clerk's office where James became an assistant. Nack was able to spend long periods of time reading in Asten's personal library.[2]
In 1827, Nack published The Legend of the Rocks, And Other Poems , the first of several volumes of poetry. This may have been the first book published in the United States by a deaf man.
Nack wrote mainly about family life and his daughters. He also wrote translations in French, German, and Dutch.[3]
Nack married Martha W. Simon in 1838.
Principal works
- The Legend of the Rocks, And Other Poems 1827
- An Ode on the Proclamation of President Jackson 1833
- Earl Rupert and Other Tales and Poems 1839
- The Immortal: A Dramatic Romance and Other Poems 1850
- The Romance of the Ring and Other Poems 1859
References
- ^ History of the School of the Dutch Reformed Church of New York City, Henry Webb Dunshee, Google Books
- ^ a b c d Livi, Jude. "James M. Nack: dawn of another New-Year". Jude Livi's Blog. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
- ^ a b Richards, Penny L. "January 4: James Nack (1809-1879)". Disability Studies: Temple U.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|url=
(help)
- "Nack, James M." American Authors 1600–1900 The H. W. Wilson Company, New York, 1938