Who authored a manual of alphabetic signs for the deaf in 1620?

The author of a manual of alphabetic signs for the deaf in 1620 is Juan Pablo Bonet. Bonet is significant in the history of deaf education as he was one of the first to develop a systematic approach to teaching the deaf using signs and symbols. His work, "Reducción de las letras y arte para enseñar a hablar a los mudos," provided a framework for communicating with deaf individuals through a structured set of signs that corresponded to the letters of the alphabet. This was an important advancement at the time, laying groundwork for future developments in sign language and deaf education.

Understanding Bonet’s contribution helps to appreciate the evolution of sign language and the methods used to teach it. His influence is still seen today in various educational practices for the deaf, making his work a cornerstone in the field.