Fay, Etienne de

First known deaf teacher of the deaf. Apparently born deaf into a wealthy family, a native of Amiens. It seems that he was taught beginning at age 5 by a monk at the Abbaye de Saint-Jean in Amiens, where he then taught other deaf pupils himself, including Azy d'Etavigny (q.v.) for 8 years. De Fay lived in the abbey all his life, and apparently used sign language. Surname also spelled Defaye.