Nicholas Saunderson is noted for publishing ten books on algebra and carefully laying the groundwork for algebra itself.  His books are filled with definitions, operations, problems and equations.  They were so remarkable that they were later turned into textbooks for college students.  Although Saunderson also focused his attention on calculus, his work was not highly noted.  This is demonstrated by the fact that his notes were not published until after his death. Although Saunderson was blinded at the age of one by small pox, he was able to learn Latin, Greek, French and mathematics. He did not attend college, but was given the opportunity to teach mathematics at Cambridge University.  It should be noted that in spite of being blind, he lectured in optics and was given the distinguished position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics.

Author: Henry D. Sheen

References:
 http://www.tiac.net/users /bruen/saunderson.html