Sutcliffe, Thomas Henry

Late deafened. Born in Blackburn; graduated Cambridge University; ordained an Anglican priest in 1932. Began losing his hearing about 1933, being totally deaf by age 28. Called to work as chaplain for the Royal Association in Aid of the Deaf and Dumb 1935-1942. Married Brenda Sainsbury (hearing) in 1950. Returned to Blackburn to serve as chaplain to deaf persons there, then in 1952 became secretary for the Church of England's Synod Council for the Deaf, remaining in that position for 23 years and doing much to foster and spread Anglican Church work among the deaf. In 1966, appointed Honorary Canon of Canterbury Cathedral, the first time in the Cathedral's centuries of existence that a deaf man had received that honor. Active in and received honors from many regional and national organizations of the deaf. Wrote many articles and several books on deafness and religious teachings, the last of which was The Challenge of Deafness (1990).