Etienne de Fay (Deaf, French) first Deaf teacher of Deaf students (Deaf students in classes using sign language).

Scenes from the life of Etienne de Fay

drawn by Bernard Truffaut for the Cahiers de l’Histoire des Sourds

Etienne de Fay is born around 1669.

At the age of 5 he enters the Abbey of St. Jean.

Etienne is given a good basic education.

After the age of 20, he continues to live at the Abbey.

Etienne teaches his Deaf pupils using signs.

Etienne works as an architect.

Etienne is a sculptor himself.

Going to the quarry.

In 1718, the Bishop of Amiens visits the Abbey of St. Jean after its reconstruction.

The Bishop of Amiens communicates with Etienne by means of an interpreter.

Around 1738, Azy d’Etavigny enters the school of Etienne de Fay.

Etienne teaches Azy d’Etavigny for about eight years.

Around 1746, Azy d’Atavigny has to leave Etienne and receives speech lessons from Pereire.

Father Postel writes the historical Diary of the Abbey.