Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

MSS 16827, Everett Nathan "Silent" Rattan photograph, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased from Langdon Manor Books by the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 18 April 2023.

Biographical / Historical

Everett Nathan "Silent" Rattan (1907-1981) was a professional wrestler from Kansas, Missouri. He could not speak or hear.He attended the Missouri School for the Deaf, and made his professional wrestling debut in 1923. From 1933 to 1934 he won 109 straight matches, earning him the title of World Junior Middleweight Champ. His career in the ring lasted 24 years. Rattan's manager was also deaf and they would communicate in the ring with gestures. He may have communicated with other people using pen and paper. In 1951 he resided in Los Angeles with his wife, Lenore Kelly, an alumna of the Indiana school for the Deaf. He died in 1981.

Content Description

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Athletes with disabilities
• Deaf culture
• Langdon Manor Books