Helen Keller
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Brief Biography
Helen Keller was born and raised in Tuscumbia, Alabama. She became blind and deaf after a childhood illness, but she overcame her communication barriers with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan. Sullivan introduced Keller to manual sign language, enabling her to grasp the concept of symbolic representation. With Sullivan's guidance, Keller acquired the ability to speak and comprehend multiple languages, which led her to pursue higher education and obtain a bachelor’s degree from Radcliffe College in 1904. Her first and most famous book, The Story of My Life, was published in 1905 and details her first twenty-three years. Keller's personal experiences fueled her lifelong commitment to social reform, leading her to advocate for the rights and education of disabled individuals and champion causes such as women's suffrage and labor unions. Over the years, she wrote essays, speeches, articles and books for these causes. Her humanitarian contributions were recognized through numerous accolades, including the Legion of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Keller experienced a stroke in 1961 and passed away in 1968.
Publications
The Story of My Life. New York; Doubleday, Page & Co., 1903.
Optimism; an Essay. New York; Crowell, 1903. (Reprinted as My Key of Life, Optimism and also as The Practice of Optimism.)
The World I Live In. New York; Century Co., 1908.
The Song of the Stone Wall. London; Century Co., 1910.
Out of the Dark; Essays, Letters & Addresses. New York; Doubleday, Page, 1927.
My Religion. New York; Swedenborg Foundation Inc., 1927
Midstream, My Later Life. New York; Doubleday, 1929.
Peace at Eventide. New York; Methuen, 1932.
Helen Keller in Scotland. New York; Methuen, 1933.
If I Had Three Days to See. Utah; Utah School for the Deaf, 1934.
Helen Keller's Journal, 1936-1937. New York; Doubleday, Doran, 1938.
Let Us Have Faith. New York; Doubleday, Doran, 1940.
Teacher, Anne Sullivan Macy; a Tribute by the Foster Child of Her Mind. New York; Doubleday, 1955.
The Open Door. New York; Doubleday, 1957.
Helen Keller; Her Socialist Years, Writings and Speeches. New York; International Publishers, 1967.
Optimism; an Essay. New York; Crowell, 1903. (Reprinted as My Key of Life, Optimism and also as The Practice of Optimism.)
The World I Live In. New York; Century Co., 1908.
The Song of the Stone Wall. London; Century Co., 1910.
Out of the Dark; Essays, Letters & Addresses. New York; Doubleday, Page, 1927.
My Religion. New York; Swedenborg Foundation Inc., 1927
Midstream, My Later Life. New York; Doubleday, 1929.
Peace at Eventide. New York; Methuen, 1932.
Helen Keller in Scotland. New York; Methuen, 1933.
If I Had Three Days to See. Utah; Utah School for the Deaf, 1934.
Helen Keller's Journal, 1936-1937. New York; Doubleday, Doran, 1938.
Let Us Have Faith. New York; Doubleday, Doran, 1940.
Teacher, Anne Sullivan Macy; a Tribute by the Foster Child of Her Mind. New York; Doubleday, 1955.
The Open Door. New York; Doubleday, 1957.
Helen Keller; Her Socialist Years, Writings and Speeches. New York; International Publishers, 1967.
Themes
Helen Keller wrote nonfiction, essays, speeches, and articles about her own life as well as political and social issues. Themes in her works include overcoming challenges, religion, and social reform.
Publisher
Alabama Authors of the 19th and 20th Centuries, edited by Beverley Park Rilett, http://AlabamaAuthors.org
Collection
Citation
Keller, Helen, “Helen Keller,” Alabama Authors of the 19th & 20th Centuries, accessed September 19, 2024, https://alabamaauthors.org/items/show/621.