Nancy Matthews Elliott

Nancy Matthews Elliott was Thomas Edison’s mother and staunchest supporter.

Thomas Edison only attended formal school for a few months. One day Thomas Edison’s teachers sent him home, along with a note, telling his mother the young boy was too dim-witted for school and not to send him anymore.

At that point, his mother, a former school teacher, taught him reading, writing, and mathematics. Edison, a naturally curious child, also learned by teaching himself from books, but his mother’s love and attention propelled him to greatness.