This brilliantly conceived biography is the very American tale of a quiet man, raised by religious zealots, who became a gifted and prolific painter (more than three hundred portraits and historical canvases), became the first Professor of Fine Arts at an American college, and founded the National Academy of Design. A classic overachiever, this was simply not enough for Samuel F. B. Morse; he subsequently ran for Congress and mayor of New York. Lastly, in his most famous life's work, he invented a machine that was to transform commerce, communication, transportation, military affairs, diplomacy, and the course of the modern world. What invention could be so revolutionary?
Chapter 1: Geography (1789–1811)
Chapter 2: No One Uninspired by the Muses May Enter (1811–1815)
Chapter 3: A Terrible Harum-Scarum Fellow (1816—1823)
Chapter 4: An Affection of the Heart (1823–1829)
Chapter 5: Il Diavolo (1830–1832)
Chapter 6: Anomalous, Nondescript, Hermaphrodite (1832–1837)
Chapter 7: High Attribute of Ubiquity (1837–1838)
Chapter 8: Traveling on a Snail’s Back (1838–1839)
Chapter 9: Beware of Tricks (1839—1842)
Chapter 10: Hurrah Boys Whip Up the Mules (1843–1844)
Chapter 11: Mere Men of Trade (1844–1845)
Chapter 12: Tantalus Still (1846–1848)
Chapter 13: The Great Telegraph Case (1849–1853)
Chapter 14: A True Social Fraternity (1854–1856)
Chapter 15: Can’t! Sir, Can’t! (1856–1857)
Chapter 16: Forward (1857–1860)
Chapter 17: Is This Treason? Is This Conspiracy? (1860–1865)
Chapter 18: Visions of Receding Glory (1866–1872)