Thomas Gallaudet was an American educator born on December 10, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is best known for his pioneering work in the education of the deaf. Gallaudet co-founded the first permanent school for the deaf in the United States, known as the Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons, in 1817. Gallaudet's efforts were inspired by his desire to help his neighbor's deaf daughter, Alice Cogswell. He traveled to Europe to learn about deaf education methods and brought back valuable techniques. His work laid the foundation for modern deaf education and significantly improved the lives of many deaf individuals.