Early Life
Samuel Morse was born on April 27, 1791. His parents were Elizabeth Finley Morse, and Jedidiah Morse. Samuel was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He had a younger brother named Richard. Samuel’s parents were committed to their son’s education and converting him to the Calvinist faith. They sent Samuel to Phillips academy, but he showed no interest in anything but art. His parents sent him to Yale hoping he would show more of an interest in school, but still he only showed an interest in art and speeches on electricity.
Education
Morse graduated from Yale in 1810, wanting to pursue a career as an artist. His father, however, wanted his son to have a more useful career, so he set up a job for Samuel as the apprentice of a book publisher in Boston. Samuel’s interest in art continued and grew which lead to his father allowing him to go to an art school in England.
Adult Life
Morse came back to America in 1815, and set up a art studio in Boston. He married Lucretia Walker in 1818, and during their marriage they had three children. Unfortunately, after giving birth to their third child Lucretia died. The next year his father died, then three years later his mother died as well. To “recover” from his grief and sadness, he went to Europe where, in 1832, he met Charles Thomas Jackson. They became friends and talked about electricity and how it moved across wires for lengths of time.
Retirement
Samuel did marry again, to a lady named Sarah Griswold, and together had four children. Samuel retired, and in his retirement he gave generous donations to various schools as well as some religious societies and rehabilitation centers for alcoholics, etc. He also donated to artists that he admired the work of and were having a hard time getting started.
Samuel Morse died of pneumonia at the age of 80 on April 2, 1872. He was in New York City, where he lived at the time of his death. Sarah was 50 at the time of his death. She would go on to live for 29 more years before dying in 1901, at the age of 79.
Samuel Morse died of pneumonia at the age of 80 on April 2, 1872. He was in New York City, where he lived at the time of his death. Sarah was 50 at the time of his death. She would go on to live for 29 more years before dying in 1901, at the age of 79.