Gow: A Father, a Son, a School

Early in the 20th century, a gifted teacher identified an all-too-common tragic figure: the bright child who failed. Peter Gow encountered boys "who paid attention in class and did their homework" but simply could not learn to read, write and spell as did their peers who were no smarter. Setting out to learn why these boys could "fail in the classrooms of competent teachers," he began addressing the constellation of learning problems now lumped under the rubric "dyslexia."

In 1926 Peter Gow founded his own school in upstate New York, and in time made it a haven—often a springboard—for boys with learning disabilities. His "secret" lay in patience, repetition, small classes, individual attention and faith in the unique array of talents within every boy. Thus the Gow School grew to be a landmark academy in special education, as Peter's son and eventual successor David Whitcomb Gow describes in this revealing autobiography.

William H. Baker, Jr., president of the preeminent National Dyslexia Research Foundation, calls the Gow School "a leader in dyslexia education. Its nurturing environment and high standards have enabled students to identify and successfully pursue their individual potentials, making significant contributions to society." Endorsing the book's publication, Mr. Baker noted, "No one knows the methods and history of the school better than Posterity Press's latest author."

David Whitcomb Gow was born in a 19th-century farmhouse in South Wales, New York, in 1924. He was educated across the road at the school his father founded, served in the Army during World War II, graduated from Yale, and returned to the Gow School as a teacher. Later becoming its third headmaster, he continued teaching until 1990. The father of five grown children, he still lives in that farmhouse, with his wife, Alice.