Leon Auerbach, a long time Gallaudet professor, was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 16, 1916. He attended the New York School for the Deaf at Fanwood and graduated in 1935. He enrolled at Gallaudet University in the fall of 1935. He graduated in 1940 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He also attended the Catholic University of America and received a Master’s degree in mathematics in 1947.

Auerbach taught at the Arizona School for the Deaf from 1940 to 1942. In 1942, he was offered as a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology during the World War II. In 1944, President Percival Hall, 2nd President of Gallaudet University, wrote a letter, asking him if he would be interested to join the faculty at Gallaudet. He accepted the offer to teach mathematics. He taught at Gallaudet for over 40 years.

Auerbach was involved with many deaf organizations serving the deaf community. He also served as a vice president and treasurer of the Gallaudet University Alumni Association. He was a vice chairman of the 1965 International Games for the Deaf. He also was a President of the Metropolitan Washington Association of the Deaf and President of the Maryland Association of the Deaf.

In June, 1941, Auerbach married his classmate, Hortense Henson of Arkansas. They had three children: Deborah, Michael, and Susan.

In 1989, Auerbach received an honorary Doctor of Human Letters degree from Gallaudet University. His retirement from Gallaudet in 1984 did not rest him. He spent his time as a volunteer at the National Association of the Deaf. He died on March 19, 1991.