Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius

Note: The braille and BRF (eBraille) editions of this book are in 4 volumes.

Drawing on primary sources that sort fact from fiction, Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius is the first ever full-color biography to include 31 never-before-translated letters, some written by Braille's own hand. Unearthed from a curator's private archives in France is an extraordinary collection of documents, photographs, and artistic works that enhances the bibliographic narrative of the phases of Braille's life as student, young inventor, musician, and teacher in post-revolutionary France.

Copyrighted Material

A Portrait of Louis Braille
Miniature portrait on ivory by Lucienne Filippi.

This image of Louis Braille was derived from a daguerreotype, taken shortly after his death. This is the visage of a dead man; in life, he kept his eyes open.

"Louis was of medium height, slender, quite dtreamlined, and elegantly muscular. His head leaned forward, his blond hair curled naturally, his movements were free and easy."

Leading support for this book and for the prize from The Gibney Family Foundation. Additional funds graciously given by E. Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the Blind.