Samuel F. B. Morse

Samuel Finley Breese Morse (April 27, 1791 – April 2, 1872) was an American inventor, and painter of portraits and historic scenes.

Early years

Samuel F. B. Morse was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, the first child of geographer and pastor Jedidiah Morse and Elizabeth Ann Breese Morse. After attending Phillips Academy as a child, he attended college at 14. He devoted himself to art and became a pupil of Washington Allston, a well-known American painter. While at Yale University, he attended lectures on electricity from Benjamin Silliman and Jeremiah Day. He earned money by painting portraits. In 1810, he graduated from Yale University. Morse later accompanied Allston to Europe in 1811.

Related Topics:
Samuel F. B. Morse - Charlestown, Massachusetts - Jedidiah Morse - Phillips Academy - College - Art - Washington Allston - Yale University - Electricity - Benjamin Silliman - Jeremiah Day - 1810 - Europe - 1811

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Morse invented a marble-cutting machine that could carve three dimensional sculptures in marble or stone. Morse couldn't patent it, however, because of a pre-existing 1820 Thomas Blanchard design. In 1823, Morse opened an art studio in New York City. In 1825, Morse painted Marquis de Lafayette's portrait (for $1,000). On February 7 of that same year, Morse's wife, Lucretia, died suddenly. She was buried before he returned to New Haven.

Related Topics:
Marble - Machine - Three dimensional - Sculptures - Stone - 1820 - Thomas Blanchard - 1823 - Art - Studio - New York City - 1825 - Marquis de Lafayette - $ - February 7

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