New York Times; Mar 2, 1881; pg. 5
Transcribed by NYI Business Applications student Shawn Chiddick

John Dennison Russ, M. D.

Dr. John Dennison Russ, a distinguished philanthropist, died yesterday afternoon, at his residence, in Pompton, new jersey, in the eighteenth year of his age. Dr. Russ was born in Chebacco, now called Essex, in the state of Massachusetts, in the year 1801. He graduated at Yale College in 1823, and afterwards studied medicine at Bowdoin College, as well as at other medical institutions in Baltimore and Boston.

He then went to Europe and passed upward of a year in the hospitals of London, Paris, and Edinburgh, and in 1826 returned to the United States and began the practice of medicine in this city. In the following year, during the Greek revolution, he was appointed by a committee of Greek sympathizers of Boston to take charge of the brig Statesman, which was sent out as a relief ship to render assistance to the suffering patriots. The ships was freighted with medical and other stores contributed by the people of Boston, and with the aid of these supplies he established a hospital at Paros, which he superintended for 15 months. He remained in Greece three years, and on his return to this country began again the practice of medicine in New York.

Early in 1832 he began, at his own expense, the instruction of six blind lads and during the same year was appointed superintendent of the institution for the blind. While in this service he invented a phonetic alphabet for the blind, consisting of 41 characters, sufficiently like the roman letters to be read by any one, to which he also added 22 prefixes, suffixes, &o. he also simplified the mathematical characters for the blind, using but 4, instead of 10, and printed maps for the use of the blind. In these maps, the designs were embossed, waved lines being used for water, and the system for improvements and modifications is still in use, but the mathematical characters have been superceded by the Braille system.

During these years he printed at his own expense several works for the blind in his phonetic alphabet. In 1848 he was appointed a member of the Board of Education in this city, and in 1851 he drafted the act of incorporation of the New York Juvenile Asylum, of which he was subsequently, for seven years superintendent.

He was also for several years vice president and corresponding secretary of the New York Prison Association, and at one time with his wife and daughter, 30 years ago, was engaged in managing a house of employment for women, especially adapted for those who were desirous of reforming from vicious ways of life. Not withstanding his advanced age, Dr. Russ was a man of great mental vigor up until a recent period, and spent much of his time in a little study in his residence, where he had a printing press and other conveniences for literary work.

Within the last two years he invented a very ingenious device or system for teaching persons for playing on the piano without the aid of an instructor, and published a treatise on the subject. On the visit to Greece, he secured many interesting mementoes of Lord Byron, in the form of articles which had once belonged to the great poet, then recently decreased. These articles have always prized very highly. He leaves a widow and one granddaughter surviving him. His remains will be taken to Essex for interment.                    

 Top of Page

Return to School History Pages

For additional school information contact:
The New York Institute for Special Education
Kim Benisatto, Operations Manager
999 Pelham Parkway Bronx, New York 10469 USA
Phone: (718) 519-7000 Ext. 315 Fax: (718) 231-9314