Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was born on December 10, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When he was a little boy his parents decided to move to Hartford, Connecticut. Thomas' family consisted of nine children and Thomas was the oldest of the children. Thomas was born with a sickness that caused him limitations on his physical abilities. It was explained to Mrs. Gallaudet as a weakness that he would outgrow with a healthy diet. Thomas was always limited because of his sickness. Thomas never complained about his limitations openly but inside he was hurt and frustrated. When the doctors listened to his chest they could hear a rattling sound in his chest.

Thomas was a brilliant student. He was so smart that at the age of 4 he was accepted into Yale University as a sophomore. After completing college Gallaudet went to work for the honorable Chauncy Goodrich in Hartford to study law. After...