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Samuel Morse - American inventor and painter (1791–1872)

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03.04.25
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Overview

Samuel Finley Breese Morse, a name synonymous with revolutionizing communication, lived a life of diverse passions. From his early artistic pursuits to his groundbreaking invention of the telegraph and Morse code, his journey is a testament to ingenuity and perseverance. This timeline highlights key moments in his life, revealing the evolution of an artist into an inventor who connected the world.
Main Milestones
Birth in Charlestown, Massachusetts
April 27, 1791
Samuel Finley Breese Morse was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, the first child of Jedidiah Morse, a Calvinist pastor and geographer, and Elizabeth Ann Finley Breese. His upbringing emphasized strong religious values and a commitment to education, foundational elements that would shape his character and ambition.
Phillips Academy & Yale College
1805-1810
Morse attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, and then Yale College. While at Yale, he attended lectures on electricity and enjoyed painting miniature portraits, showcasing his early artistic talent and an emerging interest in scientific principles.
Artistic Studies in England
1811-1815
With the encouragement of his parents, Morse traveled to England to study art under the renowned American painter, Washington Allston, and the famous painter Benjamin West. He honed his skills in painting and sculpture at the Royal Academy, developing his artistic style and establishing himself as a promising artist. He was known for his history paintings and portraits during this period.
Tragedy Spurs Innovation
1825
While working on a commission in Washington, D.C., Morse received a letter informing him of his wife, Lucretia Pickering Walker's, sudden death. Due to the slow communication, he arrived home too late to see her before burial. This profound personal loss and the realization of the agonizing delay in receiving news became a driving force behind his quest to create a faster communication system.
Inspiration on the Sully
1832
During a voyage home from Europe on the ship 'Sully,' Morse encountered Charles Thomas Jackson, who demonstrated electromagnetism. Inspired by this, Morse conceived the idea of an electromagnetic telegraph. He began sketching designs for a device that could transmit messages over long distances using electrical signals, marking the true beginning of his telegraphic work.
Patent Application and Public Demonstration
1837
Morse filed a patent application for his telegraph. He also gave a public demonstration of the telegraph at New York University, showcasing its potential to transmit messages instantaneously across distances. He developed the first version of what came to be known as Morse Code. He began seeking government funding at this time.
First Telegraph Line: Washington D.C. to Baltimore
1844
After years of struggling to obtain funding, the U.S. Congress finally approved funds for Morse to build a telegraph line between Washington D.C. and Baltimore. On May 24, 1844, he sent the famous message "What hath God wrought?" from the Supreme Court chamber in Washington D.C. to Baltimore, marking a revolutionary moment in communication history.
Supreme Court Decision on Telegraph Patent
1854
Morse's patent faced numerous challenges. In 1854, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the validity of his patent, affirming his rights as the inventor of the telegraph. This decision solidified his legacy and paved the way for the widespread adoption of the telegraph across the globe. The ruling confirmed that he was not just improving on technology but instead fully inventing it.
Death in New York City
April 2, 1872
Samuel F.B. Morse died on April 2, 1872, in New York City, at the age of 80. He left behind a legacy as both a successful artist and a pivotal inventor whose telegraph revolutionized communication and laid the foundation for future technologies. His invention forever changed the way information was transmitted, connecting people and cultures across vast distances.

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Artistic Career: Painting and SculptureArtistic Career: Painting and SculptureEarly Life and EducationEarly Life and EducationInvention of the TelegraphInvention of the TelegraphLegal Battles and RecognitionLegal Battles and RecognitionMorse Code Development TimelineMorse Code Development TimelinePersonal Life and FamilyPersonal Life and FamilyPolitical Views and ControversiesPolitical Views and ControversiesReligion and BeliefsReligion and BeliefsTimeline of Honors and AwardsTimeline of Honors and AwardsTravels and International ConnectionsTravels and International Connections
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