In spite of his
complete blindness he assiduously studied the sciences, and
graduated with honor at the University of Cambridge in
mathematics and optics. His sense of touch was remarkable. He had
a collection of old Roman medals, all of which, without mistake,
he could distinguish by their impressions. He also seemed to have
the ability to judge distance, and was said to have known how far
he had walked, and by the velocity he could even tell the
distance traversed in a vehicle. Among other blind mathematicians
was the Dutchman, Borghes (died in 1652); the French astronomer,
the Count de Pagan, who died in 1655; Galileo; the astronomer,
Cassini, and Berard, who became blind at twenty-three years, and
was for a long time Professor of Mathematics at the College of
Briancon.
In the seventeenth century the sculptor, Jean Gonnelli, born in
Tuscany, became blind at twenty years; but in spite of his
infirmity he afterward executed what were regarded as his
masterpieces. It is said that he modeled a portrait of Pope Urban
VIII, using as a guide his hand, passed from time to time over
the features. Lomazzo, the Italian painter of the eighteenth
century, is said to have continued his work after becoming blind.
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