Synthesis of biography

The abbé de l’Épée : A humanist in the service of the deaf

Charles-Michel de l’Épée (1712–1789), often called the Father of the Deaf, is a major figure in the history of deaf education and emancipation. Born on November 24, 1712, in Versailles, this deeply humanist man left his mark on history by devoting his life to the social and educational integration of a community that had long been ignored.

A commitment born of chance

The education of the deaf was not Abbé de l’Épée’s original calling. A chance encounter changed the course of his life. In 1753, he met two deaf-mute twin sisters who had been left without an educator. Their natural ability to communicate through gestures moved him profoundly.

At the time, the Abbé, excluded from the Parisian clergy for his Jansenist leanings, was seeking a new way to put his humanist values into practice. This encounter proved to be a turning point, compelling him to dedicate his knowledge and energy to the education of the deaf. What began as an accident of fate, guided by his sense of duty, became his lifelong vocation.

Methodical signs : A pédagocical revolution

Starting from simple observation, Abbé de l’Épée developed a groundbreaking educational method. Inspired by the natural gestures used by the deaf, he created methodical signs — a visual language enriched with the rules of French grammar. This system enabled deaf people to:

• Communicate clearly, beyond natural gestures.

• Access abstract concepts, thus opening the door to genuine intellectual and spiritual education.

In 1760, he founded in Paris the first free school for the deaf, located at 14 rue des Moulins. This institution, open to all — especially the poorest — became a model of collective instruction. It quickly drew attention in France and across Europe, becoming a symbol of education and dignity.

A Fight for the dignity of the deaf

Beyond teaching, Abbé de l’Épée fought to secure the rights and recognition of deaf people :

• The Solar Affair: He defended a young deaf man whom he believed to be a missing count. Although controversial, this case illustrates his relentless defense of the dignity of the deaf, despite criticism and ridicule.

• Critics and Rivals: He faced opposition, notably from Jacob Rodrigues Pereire, but his humanism and faith drove him to persevere in his mission.

Abbé Salvan : The forgotten heir ? 

Claude Salvan, chosen by Abbé de l’Épée as his successor, shared his ideals and mastered the methodical signs perfectly. Yet after the Abbé’s death in 1789, Salvan was set aside in favor of Abbé Sicard, a more visible and media-friendly figure. This sidelining raises questions about the recognition given to the true heirs of such a humanist legacy.

A universel legacy

Abbé de l’Épée profoundly changed the perception of deaf people and their place in society:

• An Innovative School : Founded in 1760, it welcomed students from disadvantaged backgrounds free of charge, offering unprecedented collective instruction.

• A Revolutionary Pedagogical Method : His methodical signs gave the deaf access to abstract ideas and knowledge.

• An International Model : His school became a global reference, inspiring educational institutions for the deaf in Europe and beyond.
  
  

A timeless model of humanism

Abbé de l’Épée not only gave the deaf access to knowledge — he unknowingly restored their place in society and proved that they could participate fully in civic life. Through his humanism, he opened a path that continues to inspire to this day.

Detailled chronology of the life of abbé de l'Épée

1712: Birth and baptism (November 24 and 26) of Charles-Michel Lespée, son of Charles-François Lespée and Françoise-Marie Varignon (Parish of Notre-Dame, Versailles).

1720: Charles-François Lespée and his wife acquired land in Paris, rue Neuve du Luxembourg, Parish of Saint-Roch (August 21), where they later built a house. The Lespée family lived on rue de Richelieu, Paris.

1722: Death of Catherine Housse, wife of Lespée, Parish of Notre-Dame, Versailles (August).

1724: Charles-Michel met the man who would become his “close friend,” recipient of four “Letters” published by Charles-Michel between 1771 and 1774. Likely addressed to the parish priest of Saint-Roch, Paris.

1727: Death of Jean-François Lespée, half-brother of Charles-François Lespée, a civil engineer in the Poitiers district. The Lespée family resided on rue Louis-le-Grand, Paris.

1728: Charles-François Lespée became an architect in the second class of the Royal Academy of Architecture (October 16).

1728–1730: Charles-Michel Lespée studied philosophy under A. Geffroy at the Collège des Quatre-Nations, Paris.

1730: Charles-François Lespée purchased a house from architect Jacques Gabriel on rue Louis-le-Grand, Paris (February 1). Death of Jacques Varignon, maternal grandfather of Charles-Michel (October 5).

1730–1733: Charles-Michel Lespée studied at the Faculty of Law, University of Paris.

1731: Became a cleric and was presented at the Archdiocese of Paris, but refused to sign the required doctrinal formula.

1732: Received his Bachelor’s degree (August 28).

1733: Earned his Licentiate in Law from the University of Paris (May 25) and was admitted to the bar at the Parliament of Paris (July 13).

1736: Appointed parish priest of Feuges (Parish of Saint-Benoît) in Champagne (March 23), promoted to the four minor orders and the subdiaconate (March 31). Ordained deacon on September 22.

1737: Louis XV granted Charles-François Lespée use of a house on rue Saint-Vincent, Paris (February). The Lespée family acquired a house on rue des Moulins, Butte Saint-Roch, Paris (May 4) — the future site of Charles-Michel’s first free school for the deaf. His father was appointed architect for the construction of the choir of Sainte-Marguerite Church, Paris.

1738: Charles-Michel became a canon at Pougy, Champagne (March 8) and was ordained priest on April 5.

1739: Appealed against the papal bull Unigenitus. Corresponded with Jean Soanen, exiled to La Chaise-Dieu (January 26). Resigned his canonry at Pougy (July 23) and returned to live with his parents.

1740: Famine in Paris (“bread riots”). Death of Jean Soanen (July 23).

1743: His father submitted his Traité du Toisé to the Royal Academy of Architecture (February 4).

1744: Charles-Michel renewed his 1739 appeal against the bull (October 14).

1746: Engagement and marriage of his brother Jacques-François to Louise-Suzanne de La Roche at Saint-Roch Church (April 19). His father transferred to Jacques-François his position as building surveyor.

1747: Charles-Michel became chaplain of the Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul Chapel at Saint-Benoît-le-Bientourné Church, Paris (June 23). His brother was promoted to the second class of the Royal Academy of Architecture upon their father’s resignation (September 28).

1748: Named honorary canon of Saint-Louis-du-Louvre Church (August 16). Birth of his nephew Jacques-Louis-François Lespée (October 24).

1750: Death of Louise-Suzanne de La Roche (February 3), sister-in-law of Charles-Michel.

1759: Death of Charles-François Lespée, rue des Moulins (April 29). “Miraculous” healing of Marie-Anne Pigalle after a novena to the Blessed Sacrament, Parish of Saint-Roch. First anonymous publication by Charles-Michel: account of this healing. Death of Simon Vassin, priest of the Christian Doctrine, who had begun teaching the deaf-mute twin sisters (September 19).

1760: Nouvelles Ecclésiastiques reported on the healing publication (April 9). Death of Charles-Michel’s mother (May 16, rue des Moulins). In mid-summer, on rue des Fossés-Saint-Victor, he met the deaf-mute twin sisters and began instructing them.

1762: His sister Marie-Françoise Lespée wrote her will (September 14).

1763: Death of Marie-Françoise Lespée (September 30). Charles-Michel began compiling thick handwritten “Notebooks” — lesson collections for his deaf students.

1765: His brother Jacques became a first-class architect at the Academy (January 7). Death of his nephew Jacques-Louis-François Lespée, age 16½.

1771: First public exercise by the deaf-mute students at rue des Moulins under their “Instructor,” Abbé de l’Épée (30 pupils).

1771–1772: Met Jacob Rodrigues Pereire.

1772–1774: Series of public exercises with publications of institutional letters I–IV.

1775: Wrote his will (May 12). Food shortage in Paris.

1776: Publication of Institution of the Deaf and Dumb by the Method of Methodical Signs. Met an unknown deaf-mute at the Hôtel-Dieu, later named Joseph, whom he took under his protection.

1777: Emperor Joseph II of Austria visited (May 7), gifting him a gold snuffbox with his portrait. Beginning of the long “Solar Affair” over Joseph’s identity.

1778–1781: Legal proceedings in the Solar case. International disciples began to visit. Royal Council ruling in favor of his school (November 21, 1778).

1782: Controversy with German deaf educator Samuel Heinicke.

1783–1784: Papal Nuncio attended exercises. Publication of The True Method of Instructing the Deaf and Dumb.

1785: Royal Council allocated part of the former Celestine convent to his school (March 25). Abbé Sicard began training under him.

1786–1787: Sicard opened a deaf school in Bordeaux. Abbé de l’Épée named corresponding associate of Bordeaux Museum.

1788–1789: Harsh winter. Political upheaval in France.

1789: Gravely ill in August; died December 23. Buried at Saint-Roch the next day in the presence of municipal delegates.

1790–1792: School placed under municipal oversight; Abbé Sicard appointed principal. Final ruling in the Solar case (1792) declared Joseph not to be the Count’s son.

1794: National Institute for Deaf-Mutes of Paris relocated to the former Saint-Magloire Seminary, now rue Saint-Jacques, Paris 5th arrondissement.

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