Gray, Frank Ross

ID
1186
Nationality
American
Occupation
Astronomer
Lens maker
Scientist
Summary
Maker of telescope lenses in Pittsburgh; an amateur astronomer. Born at Barry, IL; deaf at about 7 1/2, probably from quinine administered for an unidentified fever rather than from the fever itself. Attended public schools for about one year, then dropped out for 3 years, but read extensively. At age 12, sent to the Illinois Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, where he spent 5 years, graduating 1873. Entered Gallaudet College, graduating 1878. Initial efforts to get into farming and wool growing were not successful; he then accepted a job offer in an optical shop in Allegheny, PA, where he acquired the expertise in optical instrumental work that he later applied to telescope making and astronomy.
References
Silence of the Spheres, p.48; Representative Deaf Persons [first edition], p.195-196; Collage, p.180; Representative Deaf Persons [second edition], p.225-226.
Dates
1856-1924