Nack, James, 1809-1879

James M. Nack (January 4, 1809 – September 23, 1879) was a deaf American poet.

In 1809, Nack was born in New York City to a poor family. Unable to afford school, Nack was taught by his sister and attended The Collegiate School (New York City) through the Dutch Reformed Church.[1] Nack started reading at age four and was starting to write poetry at age 8. At age nine, Nack experienced a traumatic brain injury falling down a flight of stairs. After several weeks in a coma, Nack woke and was deaf.[2] Later Nack lost his speech as well.

Despite his disabilities, Nack continued to write. At age 12, he authored a play.[2]

Nack attended the New York Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb in Manhattan from 1818 until 1823. One of Nack's poems, The Blue-Eyed Maid, got the attention of Abraham Asten, clerk of the city and county of New York. Asten gave Nack a job in the clerk's office where James became an assistant. Nack was able to spend long periods of time reading in Asten's personal library.[2]

In 1827, Nack published The Legend of the Rocks, And Other Poems , the first of several volumes of poetry. This may have been the first book published in the United States by a deaf man.[2] During this time, Nack also contributed poems to the New York Mirror.[3]

Nack wrote mainly about family life and his daughters. He also wrote translations in French, German, and Dutch.[3]

Nack married Martha W. Simon in 1838.