Charles Michel de l'Épée was a French educator born in 1712, known for his pioneering work in the education of the deaf. He founded the first free school for the deaf in Paris in 1760, where he developed a method of teaching that utilized sign language, which he called Langue des signes. De l'Épée's approach emphasized the importance of visual communication, allowing deaf students to learn effectively. His work laid the foundation for modern deaf education and influenced future educators, including Thomas Gallaudet, who further advanced the education of the deaf in the United States. De l'Épée passed away in 1789.