Kenner, Marcus L.

Born in New York City to Polish parents. The family returned to Poland when he was 2; at age 10, his family moved back to America. He suffered from continual poor health in childhood, occasional bouts of deafness finally turning into permanent deafness about age 11. Entered the Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes [now the Lexington School for the Deaf] in 1895, graduating 1900. Employed as a clerk, then worked in the composing room of the Blanchard Press while studying evenings in the architectural class of Cooper Institution. Eventually set up his own print shop that grew and attained nationally-known status. Married fellow ex-student Dora Norman in 1907. Active in deaf athletic events and wrote extensively for the Deaf-Mute's Journal and continued writing articles for the deaf press into his old age, including many in The Silent Worker and The Deaf American. Founder of the Hebrew Association of the Deaf and a co-founder of the New York Society of the Deaf. President of the National Association of the Deaf 1934-1940, then established the short-lived Foundation for the Deaf, Inc. Honorary doctorate from Gallaudet College.