Samuel F. B. Morse
His Letters and Journals

First published in 1914, this two-volume collection, with commentary, illuminates the remarkable life of the telegraph inventor.

Samuel Finley Breese Morse (Author), Edward Lind Morse (Edited by)

9781108074384, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 August 2014

494 pages, 13 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.8 cm, 0.62 kg

The American inventor Samuel Morse (1791–1872) spent decades fighting to be recognised for his key role in devising the electromagnetic telegraph. While he will always be remembered in the history of telecommunications, and for co-developing the code which bears his name, Morse started out as a painter and also involved himself in matters of politics over the course of his career. Published in 1914, this two-volume collection of personal papers was edited by his son, who provides helpful commentary throughout, illuminating the struggles and successes of a remarkable life. Volume 1 includes observations made in Europe while Morse studied painting. During the Napoleonic wars, he writes letters home describing the rising level of crime and social unrest in London, mentioning that he sleeps with a pistol. He is in London when Spencer Perceval is assassinated and later writes of meeting Turner, 'the best landscape painter living'.

Preface
1. April 27, 1791–September 8, 1810
2. October 31, 1810–August 17, 1811
3. August 24, 1811–December 1, 1811
4. January 18, 1812–August 6, 1812
5. September 20, 1812–June 13, 1813
6. July 10, 1813–April 6, 1814
7. May 2, 1814–October 11, 1814
8. November 9, 1814–April 23, 1815
9. May 3, 1815–October 18, 1815
10. April 10, 1816–October 5, 1818
11. November 19, 1818–March 31, 1821
12. May 23, 1821–December 17, 1824
13. January 4, 1825–November 18, 1825
14. January 1, 1826–December 5, 1829
15. December 6, 1829–February 6, 1830
16. February 6, 1820–June 15, 1830
17. June 17, 1830–February 2, 1831
18. February 10, 1831–September 12, 1831
19. September 18, 1831–September 21, 1832
20. End of Volume 1.

Subject Areas: History of science [PDX]