Brodie, Alexander Mutter

Born at Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland; family emigrated to Canada when he was about 10; deafened at 16 from spinal meningitis. Denied his deafness for 6 years, avoiding other deaf people, but a chance meeting and friendship with another immigrant deaf Scotsman changed his attitude and he embraced the deaf community wholly, becoming a strong advocate and activist. He was instrumental in founding the Vancouver Association of the Deaf and several other deaf organizations. Wrote articles for the local deaf press. Employed for many years as a mail room dispatcher for a Vancouver newspaper; retired in 1967.