John M. Hull

John M. Hull is an author, educator, and humanitarian, who has dedicated his life to research and education related to blindness. He is best known for his book Touching the Rock: An Experience of Blindness, which was published in 1990. This book has become a classic in the field of blindness and has been translated into 15 languages.

Hull was born in 1939 in London and attended school in the 1950s. By the time he finished school, he already had a keen interest in philosophy and theology. Hull then studied at Oxford University, graduating with First Class honours in 1964. From there, Hull studied theology at London's Kings College and went on to become an Anglican minister in 1969.

In the mid-1970s, Hull was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, which left him gradually losing his sight. Hull decided to face his new blindness with courage, and he began to write about his experience. During this time he gave lectures about blindness and wrote for publications. In 1979, Hull accepted a position as a visiting lecturer at the University of Birmingham and also became a research fellow in the same subject at King’s College, London.

In 1983, Hull was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy from Birmingham University and in the following year he accepted the position of Professor of Religious Studies at the same university, and became the Head of the Department of Applied Religion in 1989. Over the years, Hull conducted a number of studies related to blindness and wrote several books. In addition to Touching the Rock, his other books include: Policy Research in Disability: Issues and Challenges, In Its Full Measure: Essays in Honour of Professor John M. Hull, and Faith, Disability, and Society: There Is Room at the Table.

Throughout his career, Hull has been lauded for his work in the field of blindness. In addition to his books and research, Hull has spoken at TEDx events and has been listed among the 100 most inspiring people with a visual impairment. In 2006, Hull was made an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Birmingham and in 2015 he was appointed OBE in recognition of his services to Blind and Partially Sighted People.

John M. Hull is considered a pioneer in the field of blindness and his work is celebrated by an international audience. His research and writing have made a significant contribution to understanding blindness and has served as a source of comfort for those living with visual impairments. Hull’s work has demonstrated that blindness does not, and should not, define what a person can achieve.