Collection: Samuel F. B. Morse

Samuel Finley Breese Morse (1791–1872) was an American painter and inventor, born in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He established his reputation as a portrait painter and was a co-founder and the first president of the National Academy of Design. His early career focused on historical scenes and portraiture.

Morse's artistic practice centered on portraiture, exemplified by works such as *Portrait of a Gentleman* (1822–29). In his middle age, Morse contributed to the invention of a single-wire telegraph system based on European models. He co-developed and lent his name to Morse code in 1837, facilitating the commercial use of telegraphy.