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James B. Garfield’s Followers (14)

James B. Garfield

Born

in The United States

September 19, 1881

Genre

Fiction, Children's

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James B. Garfield was an American writer and radio show host, best known for his book "Follow My Leader," about a young boy who goes blind. Like his protagonist, Garfield lost his eyesight in his late fifties and was forced to adapt. At sixty, he acquired the first of his guide dogs and worked in an aircraft plant and was instrumental in the creation of the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Garfield was born on September 19, 1881, the same day that James Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, was assassinated. Garfield was named in his honor. He was born with tunnel vision, and doctors predicted that he would lose his sight in childhood.
However, he retained his vision for many decades. He loved theater as a teenager and dr James B. Garfield was an American writer and radio show host, best known for his book "Follow My Leader," about a young boy who goes blind. Like his protagonist, Garfield lost his eyesight in his late fifties and was forced to adapt. At sixty, he acquired the first of his guide dogs and worked in an aircraft plant and was instrumental in the creation of the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Garfield was born on September 19, 1881, the same day that James Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, was assassinated. Garfield was named in his honor. He was born with tunnel vision, and doctors predicted that he would lose his sight in childhood.
However, he retained his vision for many decades. He loved theater as a teenager and dropped out of high school to accept a Broadway role.
Though his eyesight was poor, he served as a sergeant-major in the Air Force during World War I.
After his service, he branched into radio and moved with his wife and 4 year old daughter Carolyn to Hollywood in 1930. As a freelance radio artist, James wrote dramas and would eventually act in over 2,000 soap operas.
In 1937, Garfield's wife Edith passed away, and by 1940, he was completely blind.
But the 60 year old Garfield did not let this deter him, and got the first of his guide dogs. He worked at an aircraft plant and helped and communicated with other blind people.
He attended a meeting of the LA County Club of the Adult Blind – and was offered its presidency that very night. His acceptance, in
his mid-sixties, marked the beginning of the second half of his life. It was a post he would hold for 12 years as he zealously pursued rights for the blind. His efforts would include thwarting the 1947 attempt to amend the constitution that would have threatened the Welfare and Institutions Code of California. He was also instrumental in the creation of the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind that year.
He began teaching classes on radio performance, and also learned to horseback ride, and became an avid equestrian all while blind.
James began his own program in 1947, “A Blind Man Looks at You," which raised awareness about the needs and goals of the blind – the most important, of course, being understanding. The show would run for twenty years, and James would receive many awards and honors for his role in raising awareness about the blind.
James lived to be 104 and was still sharp and witty into his old age. He passed away in March 1986. ...more

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James B. Garfield’s books

Average rating: 4.2 · 3,680 ratings · 291 reviews · 4 distinct works • Similar authors

	Follow My Leader 4.21 avg rating — 3,676 ratings — published 1957 — 28 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	By James B. Garfield Follow My Leader (Paperback) December 1, 1994 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	They Like You Better liked it 3.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Xfollow My Leader 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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James B. Garfield’s Followers (14)

James B. Garfield

Combine EditionsJames B. Garfield’s books

Topics Mentioning This Author

Combine Editions
James B. Garfield’s books