Elizabeth English Benson

Elizabeth English Benson (1904–1972) was an American educator for deaf students who taught at Gallaudet College for two decades before being named Dean of Women there. During World War II, she temporarily joined the military so she could help newly deafened soldiers injured in the war. Later she was an occasional interpreter for two U.S. presidents.

Life and work Benson was born September 5, 1904, in Frederick, Maryland to deaf parents, Harry and Minnie Benson, who worked at the nearby Maryland School for the Deaf. She was designated a CODA, a child of deaf adults. Out of necessity, she learned American Sign Language from an early age to communicate with them. At two, she was pictured with her sister and parents in the popular deaf newspaper, The Silent Worker (May 1906, vol. 18, no. 8), which regularly featured "typical children of deaf parents."

Education Benson earned her B.A. from George Washington University; M.A. from Gallaudet College; honorary doctorate from Gallaudet, 1962; LL.B. from George Washington School of Law. Gallaudet University's first co-ed dormitory on campus, built in 1972, was named in her honor.

Selected works Benson, E. E. (1920). Systematic gymnastics: an aid to speech, Gallaudet College. Benson, E. E. (1932). A survey of the occupations of the graduates and ex-students of Gallaudet College. Benson, E. E., Young, J. P., & Virginia State School. (1954). Virginia State College summer study program for teachers of the deaf: Report. Hampton, Va. Benson, E. E. (1958). The language of signs. (Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified.) Benson, E. E., & St. Paul Technical-Vocational Institute. (1964). Sign language. St. Paul, Minn.: Technical Vocational Institute. (book)