Rev. Henry Winter Syle: Deaf Scholar, Preacher, Episcopal Saint

Biographical Bytes from Bala: Laurel Hill West Stories #039 for mid-December 2024

 

Henry Winter Syle went deaf as a child and soon abandoned speech.  He used American Sign Language and the written word to share his ideas with the deaf world, many of whom had been excluded from religious ceremonies for centuries because it was thought they could not enter heaven.  Although Syle's career was cut short by an early death, he is recognized as a saint of the Episcopal Church, with a feast day on August 26th shared with another pioneer of teaching the deaf Thomas Gallaudet. 

Syle is interred in the shadow of the Betz mausoleum in the Summit Section of Laurel Hill West.