Julius Wollmann collection

Item — Container: Box 1

Identifier: MG.021

Staff Only

Abstract

The Julius Wollmann collection contains three drawing signed by Cooper alum Julius Wollmann as well as his diploma, all dated 1883. Wollmann was among the first deaf students to attend The Cooper Union.

Dates

Creation: 1883

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restriction.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from The Cooper Union Archives and Special Collections. For more information, please email archives@cooper.edu.

Biographical / Historical

Julius Wollmann was born in Brooklyn in either 1866 or 1867, the son of David and Pauline Wollmann, both immigrants from Prussia. Wollmann was what was then known as a "deaf mute," being unable to hear or speak like other children. He attended the Institution for Improved Instruction of Deaf Mutes as well as the Lexington Avenue School for the Deaf, before enrolling at The Cooper Union as a student in the decorative design program. His family believes him to be the first deaf student to enroll at Cooper. Wollmann went on to become a member of the Brooklyn Society for Deaf Mutes and work as a pocket watch engraver and later as a farmer, owning 66 acres in East Northport, Suffolk County. At some point he abandoned the Wollmann spelling of his name in favor of Wollman, as did his siblings.

(Biographical information provided by grandson Kenneth J.F. Kennedy; longer bio enclosed with materials)