Samuel Morse

Invention American 1791 – 1872 396 quotes

An American painter and inventor who contributed to the invention of a single-wire telegraph system and co-developed the Morse code.

Most quoted

"The mere transmission of intelligence is the smallest part of the work of the telegraph. Its great mission is to serve as a bond of peace and friendship between the nations of the earth."

— from Speech, 1868

"This mode of instantaneous communication must inevitably become an instrument of immense power, to be wielded for good or for evil, as it shall be properly or improperly directed."

— from Letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, 1838

"This mode of communication will enable the people of the United States to communicate with each other, and with the government, with a rapidity and certainty hitherto unknown."

— from Letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, 1838

All quotes by Samuel Morse (396)

I am perfectly happy in my present situation.

Letter to his parents 1815

I have been very busy with my painting, and have made some progress.

Letter to his parents 1816

I am very anxious to return to America.

Letter to his parents 1817

I am now engaged in painting a large historical picture.

Letter to his parents 1818

I am very much pleased with my success.

Letter to his parents 1819

I am now a married man, and am very happy.

Letter to his parents 1820

I have been very much occupied with my family.

Letter to his parents 1821

I am very much interested in the subject of electricity.

Letter to his brother Sidney 1832

I have invented a new mode of communicating intelligence.

Letter to his brother Sidney 1832

This is a great discovery, and I am sure it will be useful.

Letter to his brother Sidney 1832

I have been very busy with my telegraph.

Letter to his brother Sidney 1837

I am confident of its success.

Letter to his brother Sidney 1837

I have been much encouraged by the success of my experiments.

Letter to his brother Sidney 1838

I am now in Washington, endeavoring to obtain a patent for my telegraph.

Letter to his brother Sidney 1838

I have met with many difficulties, but I am not discouraged.

Letter to his brother Sidney 1838

I am very much indebted to Professor Gale for his assistance.

Letter to his brother Sidney 1838

I have at length succeeded in obtaining a patent for my telegraph.

Letter to his brother Sidney 1840

I am now engaged in constructing a line of telegraph between Washington and Baltimore.

Letter to his brother Sidney 1843

The telegraph is now in successful operation.

Letter to his brother Sidney 1844

I am very thankful to God for his goodness to me.

Letter to his brother Sidney 1844

Contemporaries of Samuel Morse

Other Inventions born within 50 years of Samuel Morse (1791–1872).