James M. Nack

Who was James M. Nack?

James M. Nack was an American poet born in New York City. Due to his family's financial constraints James did not attend school but was taught by his sister. At the age nine he lost his hearing after an accident in which he fell down a flight of stairs. Later he lost his speech as well. He attended the New York Deaf and Dumb Asylum for five years from 1818 until 1823. His interest in poetry and a poem he wrote, The Blue-Eyed Maid, got the attention of Abraham Asten, clerk of the city and county of New York who gave James a job in the clerk's office where James became an assistant. He married Martha W. Simon in 1838.