Sowell, James W. Papers

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

James William Sowell was born near Athens, Alabama in October 27, 1874 and grew up in Alabama. He became Deaf at 9 years old. James W. Sowell attended the Alabama School for the Deaf at Talladega, Alabama. James W. Sowell went to Gallaudet College and graduated with the class of 1900. He married his college sweetheart, Maude Brizendine in 1901. James W. Sowell began his teaching career at the Maryland School for the Colored Deaf for two years and continued his work in literature at John Hopkins University where he completed his Master's degree. James and his wife later moved to Omaha, Nebraska where James taught at Nebraska School for the Deaf for 18 years. He taught his pupils English language and especially literature. Later, he became the principal of the school. He also was the editor of the Nebraska Journal during the height of the controversy over educational methods, contributing to the support of the "combined system." James W. Sowell went for his doctorate degree at University of Nebraska, majoring in Old English literature, philosophy, and education but he never completed the program. He did his research in the field of "Development of the Sensibility of the Deaf through Literature.”When the school changed to pure oralism, he had to leave his job. After he left his job, he worked for the Gas department as an accounts clerk at the Metropolitan Utilities District until he retired in 1946.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

The James W. Sowell collection contains one box of biography, letters, book, poetry, speeches, studies in Literature, thesis, and grades.

The collection, which consists of approximately 100 items dated from 1901 to 1950. The collection covers several articles of his biography, copy of published book of Sowell’s poetry, letters about his poetry, newspaper clippings and articles about Sowell, photography of Sowell with Dr. E.M. Gallaudet, a written poem for Dr. E.M. Gallaudet for his 70 birthday, and information on literatures studies. The collection also covers several items from Nebraska University, which are grade reports, receipts, questionnaire for James W. Sowell’s study in literature, and thesis research about deaf education.

FOLDER LIST