LC Puts Morse Papers Online

The Samuel F.B. Morse Papers have recently been added to the American Memory Web site, (memory.loc.gov/ammem/sfbmhtml), a gateway to many of the primary source materials from the Library of Congress. The Morse collection includes correspondence, diaries, drawings, and maps documenting Morse's invention of the electromagnetic telegraph, as well as the development of telegraph systems around the world. A collection highlight is the original tape of Morse's famous first telegraph message—"What hath God wrought?"—which was sent from the Supreme Court chamber in Washington, DC to the B&O Railroad Depot in Baltimore in 1844. Other gems include early versions of Morse code and the inventor's correspondence with historical figures such as James Fenimore Cooper. There are also surprising details about Morse's life, including his early attempt to make a living as a painter. American Memory Web is a project by the Library of Congress to provide online access to primary resource materials relating to the nation's history and culture.