L'Abbé de l'Épée, born Charles-Michel de l'Épée in 1712, was a French priest and educator known for his pioneering work in the education of the deaf. He founded the first free school for the deaf in Paris in 1755, where he developed a method of teaching that utilized sign language, which laid the groundwork for modern deaf education. His innovative approach emphasized the importance of communication and social integration for the deaf community. L'Abbé de l'Épée's contributions significantly influenced the development of sign language and the establishment of deaf education as a recognized field, earning him the title of the "father of the deaf."