Pattison, Thomas

Born in Edinburgh and deafened early in life. Attended the Edinburgh Institution for the Education of Deaf and Dumb Children 1813-1820, then apprenticed to a coach builder. Followed his hearing brother to Australia in 1858 in search of better opportunities. Recognizing the total lack of educational opportunities for the deaf in Australia, he opened The Deaf and Dumb Institution, Australia's first school for the deaf, at Sydney in 1860, starting with 11 pupils. After being private for a year, it became a publicly-supported institution with a hearing board overseeing it. Pattison married and his wife became the school's matron and also taught sewing. The school's expenditures outran income, and she was laid off and his status and hours reduced until he quit in 1866. Went to New Zealand as a coach building, then back to Victoria in Australia as a coach builder until retirement at age 80.