Gray, Frank Ross

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.