THE READING FINGERS

Jean Roblin

PREFACE

This translation from the French of a biography of Louis Braille was first published in March 1952 in a slightly abbreviated form. Since that time there has been strong evidence of a constantly increasing interest in the life of the man who made the foremost contribution of all time to blind people by giving them a key to reading and writing and thus to the world of education and training and recreation. It therefore seems pertinent at this time to make available to all interested persons the complete text of what is at present the only authoritative biography of Louis Braille in the English language.

On June 22, 1952, after this book was first published, the French government paid homage to Louis Braille by placing his body in the Pantheon among the great and famous of France. This ceremony culminated a week-long celebration in the French capital in commemoration of the centenary of Louis Braille's death in 1852. The world had at last recognized his contribution to the intellectual advancement of the human race.

M. ROBERT BARNETT

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR