1. Home
  2. Education
  3. 20th Century History
Thomas Edison - Biography
Guide picks
Thomas Edison was the inventor of the phonograph, the incandescent lamp, the first electric light, the basic elements of movies, plus so much more. Learn more about the man behind the inventions.

Britannica.com: Thomas Edison
A great biography of Edison.

Edison Elementary School Biography
A wonderfully thorough and entertaining biography of Edison. Did you know that when Edison was young, he would label all his chemicals as "Poison"? Plus, this site has questions at the bottom of the biography to test your "Edison knowledge."

Edison-Ford Winter Estates Biography
A very nice, concise biography. Did you know that Edison's father used to call him, "Al"? This biography continues onto a second page - click on "Read More" on the bottom right of this page.

Edison National Historic Site: Biography
A good overview of Edison's life, including information about the last project he was working on when he died.

Library of Congress Biography
A biography divided into the following categories: Edison's early years, telegraph work, an improved phonograph, other ventures, motion pictures, and Edison's later years.

National Inventors Hall of Fame Biography
A very short biography that emphasizes Edison's work on an electric lamp.

Explore 20th Century History

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. 20th Century History

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.