SAVANT

Savant or Savant Syndrome is a rare condition where a person has a disability which
affects the body which may result to brain handicap or other form of central nervous system
disorder. A savant is a person with extraordinary skills, and incredible memory which normal
person cannot do. These special skills are superimposed on top of their basic brain dysfunction.
They have astonishing specific abilities or talents which are in stark contrast to their overall
mental limitations.

James Henry Pullen

James Henry Pullen also known as the Genius of

Earlswood Asylum, was born in Dalston, London in
1835, and lived in Peckham, South London. He is
a British autistic savant, possibly suffering
from aphasia. He was dismissed as deaf, mute and
developmentally disabled which made him confined
to institutions his whole life.

At age 5 or 6 he was impressed by the small ships

that his playmates tried to maneuver on narrow
puddles in Dalston, and he became obsessed with making such toys. Until
7 yrs old, he spoke only one word, "mother."

He entered Earlswood at age 15 where he was described as "unable to

give any intelligible answer, unless he could accompany his broken words by
gestures."

Earlswood Asylum tried to teach its patients a number of handicrafts

so they could support themselves and the asylum. Pullen became a
gifted carpenter and cabinet maker. He would work at workshop at days and
draw at night. Most of the drawings were of the corridors of the asylum and
he framed them himself. In addition he would also make practical items,
such as bed frames, for the needs of the asylum.
Queen Victoria accepted some of the drawings and Prince Albert received one Pullen had
drawn of the Siege of Sebastapol in the Crimean War, based on newspaper accounts.
Pullen was alternatively aggressive or sullen. He could be reserved but also wrecked his
workshop once in a fit of anger.

Pullen's masterpiece is a model

ship, The Great Eastern, that he spent
seven years building; Pullen made all
the details, including 5,585 rivets, 13
lifeboats and interior furniture in
miniature, himself. In its maiden
voyage the ship sank for lack
of buoyancy but Pullen repaired that
flaw later. The ship was exhibited
in the Crystal Palace.
Pullen also built a large mannequin in the middle of his workshop; he would sit inside it,
manipulate its appendages and talk through a concealed bugle in its mouth.
REFERENCE: http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-amazing-
http://www.aboutintelligence.co.uk/savant- savants.php
syndrome-intelligence.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Henry_Pull
en
http://www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/sava
nt_syndrome/savant_profiles/james_pullen