Fisher, Dorothy Canfield

Born at Lawrence, KS; deafened at age 14 for reasons she refused to divulge. Entered the University of Nebraska, then transferred to Ohio State University, graduating in 1899. Continued her studies at the Sorbonne and in New York, becoming the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in Romance languages from Columbia University. Taught briefly at the Horace Mann School for the Deaf. After marriage and the birth of her two children, became interested in child development; studied under Maria Montessori, and published 4 books on child development. During World War I, volunteered for social service work among wounded soldiers and civilian victims in France. During the war, became a writer of short stories and novels, many of which became best-sellers of the time. Died at Arlington, VT.