William Chapin, an American instructor of the blind, born in Philadelphia in 1802. Much of his earlier life was occupied in literary pursuits. He was the author and publisher of a gazetteer and map of the United States, and of other works; and was for six years commissioner of schools in Yates co., N. Y., where he did much to advance the cause of education. In 1840 he was appointed superintendent of the Ohio state institution for the blind, and was successful in improving the system of education there, and in awakening public interest in the institution. Having investigated kindred institutions in various parts of the United States, he visited Europe in 1845, examined nearly all the public charities in England and Paris, and embodied the results of his investigations in a report to the Ohio legislature, "On the Benevolent Institutions of Great Britain and Paris." Resigning his post in Ohio in 1846, he removed to New York, and established a female institute and normal school, which he carried on till 1849, when he was appointed principal of the Pennsylvania institution for the instruction of the blind, in Philadelphia. He prepared the article on the blind in the United States census report of 1860.