Brian Greenwald

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Beyond Oralism: Alexander Graham Bell and American Eugenics Movement, 1883-1922

Historians and scholars in Deaf Studies are long familiar with Alexander Graham Bell’s work with oralism. This paper intends to go “beyond talk” and specifically examine his association with eugenics.
What was Alexander Graham Bell’s role and influence within the American eugenics movement? This presentation examines one of the most influential Americans of his generation and his research on eugenics, genetics, and deafness over three decades. This talk also explores Alexander Graham Bell’s association with other prominent eugenicists, including the American Breeders Association, and his efforts to shield deaf people from becoming subjects of eugenicists. Eugenicists questioned the value of genetic deafness towards America’s genetic stock during a critical period in American history. Bell’s advocacy and efforts on oralism are well documented and has received much attention and criticism; however studies of his association with eugenics movement has seriously misrepresented the historical record.