Groom, Jane Elizabeth

Born hereditarily deaf at Woodgate, near Wem, England; attended the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at Old Trafford, near Manchester. Taught a class of deaf children in Bethnal Green School, but lost her job to a hearing teacher in 1882 when oralism swept through British deaf education. Went into missionary work among deaf people. Distressed at the poverty and unemployment of London deaf people, she attempted to establish a small deaf farming settlement near Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1884 with 10 of those deaf indigents, later bringing over 24 more despite local opposition from hearing people. The endeavor was a success, but she had to give it up in 1892 when she was compelled to return to England with her deaf sister. Died in London.