Helen Keller, Letters

Helen Keller (1880–1968).
Letter to Rev. Hughes.
New York City, November 12, 1940.

Helen Keller (1880–1968).
Letter to Frederick Deland Leete.
New York City, December 14, 1945.

These letters soliciting financial help for humanitarian causes were typed for Helen Keller at the New York City offices of two organizations in which she was deeply involved in later life. The 1940 letter, sent from the United American Spanish Aid Committee to “Rev. Hughes” (probably Fred A. Hughes of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, editor of the Christian Recorder), concerns the support of refugees from fascism. The 1945 letter, sent from the American Foundation for the Blind, was addressed to Frederick Deland Leete (1866–1958), a Methodist Bishop who donated his extensive collection of early Methodist documents to Bridwell Library in 1956. This letter discusses the Helen Keller Committee on the Deaf-Blind of America. Both letters are signed by hand in neat, deliberate letters – symbols of Helen Keller’s personal triumph over her lifelong struggle.

Listen as curator Dr. Eric White talks about Helen Keller during a tour.