Harry Lang collection of Robert Panara books by Shakespeare

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: RITDSA-0120

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Harry Lang collection of Robert Panara books by Shakespeare includes fourteen paperback novels and plays by William Shakespeare that were used by Panara to teach Shakespeare to the deaf. The books contain Mr. Panara's teaching notes in the margins. Each book is signed by Mr. Panara.

Dates

Creation: 1957-1972

Creator

Lang, Harry G. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Dr. Harry Lang attended the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, earned a BS in Physics from Bethany College, a MS degree in Electrical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology, and his doctorate in Education from the University of Rochester. Lang has taught at National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) since 1969, first in the Physics Department, and later as a faculty member in the Master of Science Program in Secondary Education of Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

He is also a prolific author, including Edmund Booth: A Deaf Pioneer, Teaching from the Heart and Soul: The Robert F. Panara Story, andDeaf Persons in the Arts and Sciences: A Biographical Dictionary (co-authored with Bonnie Meath-Lang). The dictionary includes 150 biographies of deaf scientists, artists, engineers, actors, writers, poets, and other professionals. In 2006, Lang was awarded the Rochester Institute of Technology Trustees Scholarship Award in recognition of establishing an outstanding record of academic scholarship.

About Robert Panara

The first Deaf faculty member at NTID, and a key figure in its history, Robert Panara was hired in 1967 to assist in establishing NTID on RIT's campus. He was instrumental in planning NTID's curriculum and preparing RIT's staff with ASL classes. He taught English at NTID and founded the Drama Club in 1970, which has grown into a full performing arts program with numerous productions yearly in the theater at NTID named in his honor. It was at the celebration of NTID's 20th anniversary in 1988 that the Robert F. Panara Theatre was dedicated.

Panara is recognized as one of the founders of the National Theatre of the Deaf. He was the only deaf member of the National Advisory Board, and the first NTID faculty member. He was also awarded the RIT Founders Award for his lifetime of achievement and devoted service to RIT. Panara retired from NTID in 1987. Robert Panara died in 2014 at the age of 94.

Lang and Panara enjoyed a close friendship.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 flat box)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

The Harry Lang collection of Robert Panara books by Shakespeare contains fourteen books and plays written by William Shakespeare and used by Robert Panara to teach Shakespeare at NTID.

Arrangement

The collection is in alphabetical order.

Physical Location

C.S. North, Shelf 234

Other Finding Aids

In addition to this finding aid, an inventory is available below. For more information, please contact the RIT Archive Collections.

Harry Lang collection of Robert Panara books by Shakespeare