Arthur H. Keller was the father of the renowned Helen Keller who lived a life of duty to his family and his country. A man of principle, Keller’s life was shaped by traditions of the American South and possessed a sense of duty as a soldier, editor, and father. Unlike his daughter Helen, Arthur Keller’s life story is one of quiet resilience and support for his family through tough times.

Early Life/Family Background

On 5 February, 1836, Arthur Henley Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, into a family with deep Southern roots. His father, David Keller, was a landowner, and his mother, Mary Everett Moore Keller, was from a prominent family. Growing up in the antebellum South, Arthur knew the values and traditions of that region. He grew up feeling compelled to duty and honor – values that he would carry with him throughout his life.

Educational Background

Details about Arthur H. Keller’s formal education are scant, but he was a well-educated man by his time. Arthur was probably educated in local Alabama schools – a classical education typical of the Southern gentry. This educational background equipped him to assume the roles he would assume in life.

Career and Interests

The career of Arthur H. Keller was varied and reflective of his interests and sense of responsibility. As a captain in the Confederate Army during the Civil war, Keller showed his loyalty to the Southern cause despite the eventual outcome of the war. After the war, he ventured into journalism, becoming the editor of the North Alabamian, a local newspaper in Tuscumbia. With this role, he was able to influence public opinion and rebuild the South during the Reconstruction era.

Arthur also farmed and managed the family plantation. He was also an outdoorsman who hunted and fished besides his professional duties. These activities gave him personal satisfaction as well as links to the land and traditions of the South.

Personal Life

In his private life, Arthur Keller experienced joy as well as tragedy. He was married twice – first to Sarah E. Simpson, who died shortly after their union. Later, he married Catherine Everett (Kate) and they had two children together – Helen and Phillips Brooks Keller. The birth of Helen, who was born healthy but lost her sight and hearing at 19 months due to an illness, affected Arthur greatly. With Helen’s disabilities came challenges, but Arthur always tried his best to provide for his family and to find the best care and education for his daughter.

Public Appearances

Arthur H. Keller was not a public figure in a conventional sense, but his role as Helen Keller’s father put him in the public eye. He attended occasional events related to Helen’s education and advocacy work. Arthur acted in a dignified manner in public, supporting Helen and her accomplishments.

His Daughter, Helen Keller

Helen Keller’s legacy is inseparable from that of her father. In an effort to find help for his daughter, Arthur H. Keller called on Anne Sullivan to teach Helen. With Sullivan’s help, Helen overcame her disabilities to become an author, speaker, and advocate for people with disabilities. Arthur supported Helen financially and emotionally.