Williams, Richard Rowland

Born to Welsh parents in Liverpool; deafened at age 8 when another boy threw chemical vitriol (sulfuric acid) into his face, blinding his right eye, causing complete hearing loss, facial disfigurement and damage to the vocal cords. Day student in the Liverpool Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, becoming a pupil teacher and assistant teacher there. Left in 1844 for better pay as a wages clerk with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, remaining with them the rest of his working life and rising to Chief Clerk by age 30. Married a hearing woman. Died after a lingering illness possibly caused by overwork.