THE BLIND BARD OF KENTUCKY! MORRISON HEADY, INSPIRATION TO ALL!

The Blind Bard of Kentucky! Even though he was blind by his teenage years, and deaf by the time he was 40, he became an accomplished author, poet, and invented creations that helped the deaf and blind, James “Morrison” Heady. Heady was born on 19 July 1829, in Elk Creek, Kentucky. When he was a child, he fell from a horse and severely damaged his hearing and he was completely deaf by the age of 40. When he was only 15-years-old, a wood cutters axe kicked up a wood chip that landed in his eye, blinding that eye. The following year, he was playing with his schoolmates and an accident happened causing him to lose sight in the other eye as well.

Heady attended the Kentucky Institution for the Education of the Blind, in Louisville, Kentucky and later the School for the Blind, in Columbus, Ohio. Neither condition limited his contributions. As friends read aloud, Heady embossed notes on the diplograph machine he invented and built. His machine proceeded the invention of the braille writer which of course was the one that the world adopted. Heady also invented the “Talking Glove”, which was an alphabet, printed with the letters on different portions of the fingers. The glove enabled someone could come up and communicate with him by pointing to different places on the fingers, thumb and hand. The original glove is in the museum at the American Printing House for the Blind, in Louisville, Kentucky, where they have a whole floor dedicated to different inventions for the blind.

Heady also had musical talents as well. He played the piano and taught violin. Even though he was blind and deaf, he didn’t let anything limit him. He worked tirelessly to advance opportunities for students across the nation in institutions for the blind. His other inventions included a pull chain home farm gate, which we still use today, the swivel chair, utensils and games. He built a steam powered embossing press for the American Printing House for the Blind, as well as wrote and published prose, poetry and songs. His writings included a biography of George Washington, novels, and books of poetry.

Heady has been described as inspirational for all of his efforts to create inventions, and working as a teacher for the betterment of folks that were like him. He spent his life as a fine example of someone who lived by the saying of “it’s not what you can’t do; it’s what you can do that matters”. Heady maintained a relationship with the world-famous Helen Keller. They corresponded with each other for many years and Keller actually referred to him as “Uncle Maury”. 

Morrison Heady lived a nice long life and when he died on 19 December 1915, he was 86-years-old. He is buried at the crypt at Elk Creek Cemetery along with his parents. In 2004, his story was published by Ken Thompson in his book, “Beyond the Double Night, which was inspired by one of Heady’s poems, “The Double Night”. The double night is symbolic of someone that lives in a world without sight or sound. The book highlights all of his history here Elk Creek, Kentucky, some of his music, writings and pictures of his inventions. 

Morrison Heady is a fine example of someone in history that made an enormous impact to a segment of the population but has been largely forgotten by most today. It is important to remember those whose story can serve as an inspiration to all. Be sure to check out the video below where a local teacher, Ms. Pascal Bailey shares with us Morrison Heady’s story from in front of his burial crypt.

-Col. Russ Carson, Jr, Founder, Family Tree Nuts