Tag Archives: Valentin Haüy

The music master

Posted on June 1, 2025 by Parisian Fields

I have recently returned from a 10-day research trip to Paris for a book on Charles Barbier. Over the years, I have pegged away at this project, taking a day here, a day there for research during our visits, but … Continue reading →

Posted in History of the blind, Paris history, Paris music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The private life of a public man

Posted on November 10, 2024 by Parisian Fields

When our friend Mireille in Paris asked me to research the descendants of Valentin Haüy, the man who pioneered education for blind children, my first reaction was, “Wait – he had children?” I knew about Haüy’s work with blind students. … Continue reading →

Posted in History of the blind, Paris cemeteries, Paris history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Le Musée Valentin Haüy: A different vision of history

Posted on September 15, 2013 by Parisian Fields

This is no ordinary terrestrial globe. And you’ll find it in a museum that is anything but ordinary. When we move in closer, we find that it is labelled in Braille. And the map shown below is not your average … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris history, Paris museums, Paris typewriters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Technology of Compassion

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Parisian Fields

I had just finished typing when typewriter collector Martin Howard took the photo below. If you read Braille, you will see that it says “parisian fields.” The Pantheon is the final resting place of France’s heroes: Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Émile … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris history, Paris typewriters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments