Author Elizabeth Gitter. Her book is The Imprisoned Guest: Samuel Howe and Laura Bridgman, the Original Deaf-Blind Girl. (FSG) Gitter came upon the story of Laura Bridgman and was fascinated by this forgotten chapter of history. Bridgman learned to read and write, but her fame was eclipsed by the more charming and attractive Helen Keller. Gitter is a professor of English at the City University of New York John Jay College. She specializes in the Victorian era.