Samuel Finley Breese Morse is recognized as the most influential figure in the development of the electromagnetic telegraph. It is interesting to note that although Morse is remembered as an inventor, he endeavored most of his life to become a great artist.

Morse was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, on April 27, 1791, to Elizabeth Breese Morse and Jedidiah Morse. His mother was a strong-willed individual who held tremendous influence over Morse and his two brothers, Sidney and Richard. His father, the town pastor, was also active as an author and geographer.

Morse learned of electricity while attending the lectures of Jeremiah Day at Yale University. Nevertheless, he wanted to become an artist, and he was fortunate to be acquainted with the American painter Washington Allston. Morse's parents supported his ambition to travel with Allston to London to further his training. There, Morse...