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“Mr. Healey has a horror of extremists” George F. Healey of Liverpool
By H Dominic W Stiles, on 20 November 2015
George F. Healey (1843-1927) was Missioner to the Deaf, at the Liverpool Adult Deaf and Dumb Benevolent Society from its inception in 1864. Born at Gateacre, in the Liverpool suburb of Little Woolton on August the 28th, 1843, the son of a coach builder, Gerorge lost his hearing when less than one – “an accident which occurred to him brought on acute inflammation of the brain” (Oldham Deaf–Mute Gazette). His obituary in the Deaf Quarterly News tells us it was a fall from his nurse’s arms, but that the loss was not discovered until he was nearly two (p.1). He became a pupil of Mr. H.B. Bingham of Rugby for eight years, and was taught by the ‘combined method’, that is sign language and articulation and lip reading. The Oldham Deaf–Mute Gazette says of Bingham, “there has never been a more successful instructor of the deaf, his aim evidently being to adapt the method to the child instead of the child to the method, and not a few of his pupils have filled and are filling responsible positions in a manner that reflects credit alike on teacher and taught.” (ibid p.207) A final year was spent under a Liverpool teacher of the deaf, Dr. David Buxton (1821-1897).
After his schooling, Healey worked for his father at the coach works in Berry Street. His obituary in the Deaf Quarterly News tells us that he was inspired by annual visits to London, where he heard the Revs. Samuel Smith and Charles Rhind preach (p.1). The British Deaf Times obituary says he was first taken by Mr. G. Bright Lucas in 1862. At that time there was little being done to help the adult deaf in Liverpool, so Healey worked with his friend Robert Armour (1837-1913) to start the Liverpool Adult Deaf and Dumb Benevolent Society in 1864 (ibid p.208). He was the Hon. Secretary until 1895, then Vice-Chairman.
Healey worked hard to raise money for a new Liverpool Instiute building, and it was opened on May the 16th, 1887 by H.R.H. Princess Louise. He was himself fortunate that his parents left him and his sister enough money to make them financially secure, but .
He gave evidence to the Royal Comission of 1881 regarding deaf education, being a firm advocate for the combined method. “Mr. Healey has a horror of extremists, experience having convinced him that such people in any cause seldom do much good, but invariably accomplish a great deal of mischief.” (Oldham Deaf–Mute Gazette p.206). Healey was also Hon. Treasurer to the BDDA, and one of its founders. His influence was wide, and he travelled we are told, to most of the missions across the country, for example helping start the Cork mission in the 1880s (ibid p.2010).
George never married but lived for many years with his sister Florence.
Dear Friends of the Deaf No.2 Mr. George F. Healey , Oldham Deaf–Mute Gazette Jan-Feb 1906, p. 205-11
Mr. George F. Healey, Ephphatha No. 63, Autumn 1924, p.842-3
The Late Mr. George F. Healey, Deaf Quarterly News, No.92, p.1-3 Jan-Mar 1928 (includes photo)
Mr G.F. Healey, Liverpool, British Deaf Times 1928 Vol 25 p.12
Our Portrait Gallery No.3 Mr George F.Healey. Our Monthly Church Messenger to the Deaf p.29-30 1894 includes (photo)
W.R. Roe, Mr. George F. Healey, Peeps into the Deaf World 1917 p.61-3
One Response to ““Mr. Healey has a horror of extremists” George F. Healey of Liverpool”
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[…] In fact, the 1881 census says that George was ‘semi-deaf from birth,’ suggesting that at least when younger he had some hearing. His mother sent him to live in Perthshire with an uncle who farmed , in the hope that the climate would help his hearing, but he seems to have run wild & was so shy on his return that he his when he was re-introduced to his older brother (Silent World 1951, p.266). We also read that he – and presumably his brothers – was taught initially by his mother “in finger spelling and signing – arts in which she was adept” which makes one wonder whether she learnt to help them or had learnt from some deaf relative. Robert Armour (1837-1913), Missioner for the Deaf in Liverpool (born in Kilmarnock and deafened at 18 months by “some malady of the brain”) gave him some instruction in English composition, and he and his brothers walked five miles to the nearest church where services for the Deaf were held, so they met other members of the local Deaf community, like George Healey. […]