Joseph Watson (teacher)

Watson was educated in Hackney, London at the school of Thomas Braidwood. Under Braidwood's influence, he resolved in 1784 to embrace the instruction of deaf children as a profession. On the foundation of the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb in Old Kent Road, through the efforts of John Townsend, Watson assisted by counsel and advice, and on its completion was appointed headteacher. He continued in this office for the remainder of his life, rendering important services by his personal instruction and by his writings on the subject. The Abbé Sicard, the French teacher of the deaf, was much interested in his methods, and for some time corresponded with him concerning the management of Watson's school.[1]

Watson's system was founded on that of Thomas Braidwood, with some developments and improvements. He died at the school on 23 November 1829, and was buried at Bermondsey. His son Alexander Watson (c.1815–1865) was an Anglican clergyman.[1]

Watson was the author of:[1]

• Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb; or a View of the Means by which they may be Taught to Speak and Understand a Language (London, 1810, 2 volumes)
• A First Reading Book for Deaf and Dumb Children (London, 1826)
• A Selection of Verbs and Adjectives, with some other Parts of Speech (London, 1826)

Attribution

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Carlyle, Edward Irving (1899). "Watson, Joseph". In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. 60. London: Smith, Elder & Co. p. 17.