In 1896 the British physician William Pringle Morgan published an account of “Percy,” a “bright and intelligent boy, quick at games, and in no way inferior to others of his age.” Yet, in spite of his intelligence, Percy had great difficulty learning to read.
Percy was one of the first children to be described as having word-blindness, better known today as dyslexia. In this first comprehensive history of dyslexia Philip Kirby and Margaret Snowling chart a journey that begins with Victorian medicine and continues to dyslexia’s current status as the most globally recognized specific learning difficulty. In an engaging narrative style, Kirby and Snowling tell the story of dyslexia, examining its origins and revealing the many scientists, teachers, and campaigners who put it on the map. Through this history they explain current debates over the diagnosis of dyslexia and its impact on learning.
For those who have lived experience of dyslexia, professionals who have supported them, and scholars of social history, education, psychology, and childhood studies, Dyslexia reflects on the place of literacy in society – whom it has benefited, and whom it has left behind.

Philip Kirby is lecturer in social science, King’s College London.

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Margaret J. Snowling is professor of psychology, University of Oxford, and president of St John’s College.

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“Dyslexic people, including myself, as well as anyone else concerned with the question of how best to comprehend this situated character of reading in literate times will benefit greatly from Dyslexia: A History.” Historical Studies in Education/Revue d’histoire de l’éducation

"Kirby and Snowling tackle this issue by broadening the definition of dyslexia, bypassing the either-or binary of medical vs. social models of disability, instead contending that it embraces both. Moreover, they provide a rich historical foundation, recalling when the term dyslexia was coined in the late 19th century in reference to ‘word blindness,’ meaning the inability to recognize words. Not only is dyslexia a learning difficulty that affects fluency in reading and spelling, but it impacts phonological awareness, visual memory, and verbal processing speed across intellectual abilities. This highly readable, fact-filled book will support parents, families, professionals, students, researchers, and those with dyslexia. Recommended, all readers." Choice

‘Kirby and Snowling do a great service to the study of dyslexia by analyzing, with clarity and authority, much of the hundred and fifty years of historical documents on dyslexia research, practice and policy, and placing them within a modern perspective. They show convincingly how a scientific understanding of dyslexia has grown over time, whereas the more social-focused arguments for difficulties in education and employment have been recognized for much of this history.’ John Everatt, University of Canterbury

“This is an enlightening and absorbing introduction to a crucial concept within the history of learning difficulties, charting its origins, pathways, meanings, contestations, successes and, most importantly, the obstructions and challenges it places in the lives of those who experience it.” History of Education

‘Kirby and Snowling offer a superb understanding of the trends and issues relating to dyslexia from the late nineteenth century to present day. Far more than a chronology, this is an astute and cleverly researched account of the concept of dyslexia, its controversy, and the academic, political, and social influences that have shaped our current understanding of this disability. An outstanding piece of work.’ Gavin Reid, co-author of The Dyslexia Assessment