“LOUIS BRAILLE: The Boy Who Invented Books for the Blind” was written by Margaret Davison and was published in 1971.  It is a biography of a boy named Louis Braille who invented special letters for the blind people.  Biographies are interesting to read, especially if it is of a famous person, since it is a description of someone’s life. In some cases, they’ll be either published in a book or even as a film. This book details Louis’ whole life from education, work, relationships and death.

Louis was born on January 4th, 1809 and was from a small town called Coupvray, in France.  His father made harnesses and other leather goods to sell to the other villagers. Louis’ father often used sharp tools to cut and punch holes in the leather. One day, as Louis was playing in his father’s workshop with a tool called a stitching awl, Louis’ hand slipped and he accidentally poked one of his eyes.  Because of his infection in his injured eye, he lost his other eye.

Young Louis desperately wanted to read.  He realized his disability took more than just his sight, but also kept him from the wonders of learning.  Louis learned to work with his problem and learned to lead an otherwise normal life.  He went to school with all his friends and did well at his studies. He was both intelligent and creative. He did not allow his disability to stop him from finding a way read.  As he grew, he realized that the school he was going to did not have the resources to help him more, so he found out about another school in Paris, specifically for the blind.

At the age of 10, he got a scholarship to the National Institute for the Blind in Paris.  He found that they had special books made with large letters slightly raised off each page. However, there were many disadvantages to the school due to saving costs.  The school had just 14 books, all of which Louis had read.  The process of reading each book was difficult since he had to feel each letter.  When reading just one line, he would forget what happened the line before, since he was focusing so much on feeling the words.  He knew there must be a better way.  He set himself the goal of thinking up a system for blind people to read. He would try to think of some alphabet code to make his “finger reading” as quick and easy as sighted reading.

How did Louis Braille create his quick reading invention for the blind?  It was all fate.  One day, somebody at the school heard about an alphabet code that was being used by the French army. This code was used to deliver messages at night from officers to soldiers. The messages could not be written on paper because the soldier would have to strike a match to read it. The light from the match would give the enemy a target at which to shoot. The alphabet code was made up of small dots and dashes. These symbols were raised up off the paper so that soldiers could read them by running their fingers over them. Once the soldiers understood the code, everything worked fine. Louis got a hold of some of this code and tried it for himself. It was better but still took time and space on pieces of paper. Louis knew that he could improve this alphabet in some way. Eventually, with time and practice, he made “Braille”, the alphabet for the blind, using a system of raised dots on paper.

Louis Braille grew to became a well respected teacher.  Although he finished his invention, it was not used during his time.  Due to pollution and bad air at the institute, he died of tuberculosis in1852 at the age of 43.  His alphabet system was later recognized in 1854.

I feel his life’s story is inspiring.  Although he had such a tragedy at an early age, he did not give up and continued to go to school and try his best.  He was very good at all the things he did such as reading or even music.  I also enjoy those two things!  I am glad I can relate to him somehow.  It can be challenging for me at times, but the fact that Louis was able to do it  while he was blind, makes me want to work even harder.