Boyd, Hypatia

Born at Milwaukee, WI; deaf at 6 1/2 from scarlet fever. Her mother took her back to her old home in Scotland in vain search of a cure, but they soon returned to Milwaukee, where she entered the new Milwaukee Day School for the Deaf and remained for 8 years. Graduated a hearing high school after 2 1/2 years, then in 1895 entered the University of Wisconsin, but had to withdraw for financial limitations. Passed a civil service examination to work as a public library assistant, but failed to get a position. Took up journalism instead, publishing articles in various hearing and deaf newspapers and magazines; also wrote a published book, a biography of her teacher Paul Binner (q.v.). From 1902 on, was appointed the teacher of deaf-blind pupil Eva Halliday in the Wisconsin Institution for the Deaf.