The Library of Congress

Alexander Graham Bell Family Papers at the Library of Congress, 1862-1939

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Reading the documents in Alexander Graham Bell Family Papers provides students an excellent opportunity to study different writing styles. For example, Bell wrote many persuasive arguments that students can analyze to develop their own writing skills. In addition, Bell's journal entries document detailed, exact facts of his experimentation. Readers will also find many letters reflecting the Bell family's experience with the language art themes of love, family, and conflict. Students will enjoy reading the emotion and honesty with which the family corresponded - the intimate thoughts of the scientist and inventor.

1) Persuasive Writing

An examination of Bell’s personal correspondence illustrates the skills he employed to relate his convictions in writing. Browse the Family Papers and General Correspondence series of letters to read Bell's writings to his parents, his wife, and associates. Ask students to identify as many different techniques as possible, with which Bell expressed himself. Also have them analyze the way in which he conveyed his feelings when he refused to write an introduction to a book written about Glenn H. Curtiss, a colleague in aviation.

My ideas in such matters may be a trifle old fashioned but I feel so keen an interest in your career as an experimenter, which has, I trust, only begun that I cannot refrain from urging you to very seriously consider the effect which such a book as that which you propose will have on your many friends. If you wrote a comprehensive book on the Aeroplane, the public would receive it appreciatively but this book outlined by Mr. Post is more of the nature of a biography and I fear will be misunderstood. The commercializing of ones own accomplishments may be all right financially but is a mistake socially. I am too proud of you and interested in you to help you make such a mistake and this is my reason for declining to write an Introduction to Mr. Post's book. From Letter from Alexander Graham Bell to Glenn H. Curtiss, undated.

Letter from Alexander Graham Bell to Glenn H. Curtiss, undated

• How does Bell frame his argument against writing the introduction?
• How is he careful not to insult Mr. Curtiss?
• If you were Mr. Curtiss, would you still publish the book having read Bell's comments?
• How might you respond to Bell's letter?

2) Emotional & Rational Appeal

In 1904, Bell wrote a letter to President Theodore Roosevelt regarding an episode in which an African American in his employ was denied basic human rights while in Canada. Search on Theodore Roosevelt to find this letter. Have students examine Bell’s request that the State Department investigate the case and the documents he enclosed to further his appeal for redress.

Dear Sir:-

Allow me to direct your attention to the fact that Mr. Charles F. Thompson, a colored man in my employment, and his wife, both citizens of the United States, have suffered from exposure to a storm in consequence of exclusion from six of the public hotels of Sydney, Nova Scotia -- a town where there is no special accommodation for colored persons. They have been put to unnecessary expense on account of doctor's bill and carriage hire, and in addition have been insulted on account of their color.

From Letter from Alexander Graham Bell to Theodore Roosevelt, December 8, 1904.

• What reasoning does Bell give for asking the State Department to get involved in this incident of discrimination?
• Are Bell's arguments based on citation of laws? Common practice? Basic human dignity?
• Does Bell appeal to the emotions of the readers? To their rational analysis of the situation?
• How does Bell vouch for his employee? What evidence does Bell give of this man's character?
• What is Bell's tone? How does it effect his request?

3) Editorial and Argument

Students can read the news clipping from the August 31, 1880 Evening Transcript on "Science vs. The Public Schools" by searching on Clippings, from August 31, 1880, to September 1, 1880. Have students write a reply to the article from their own perspective either supporting or rejecting the arguments presented in the article. Students can use the following questions to help them:

• What are the main arguments in the article? Do you agree or disagree with them? Why? Explain your reasons in a written support or refutation of these arguments.
• Are there additional supporting arguments for your case?
• What authoritative sources can you cite to support your argument? Can you argue from personal experience?

4) Documentation

Students can learn the importance of accuracy in documentation from reading Bell's journals and through a short exercise involving cooking. Have students browse the Laboratory Notebooks series of the collection, particularly the Laboratory Notes, Volume 31, 1891-1893. Students should note the details of the documentation Bell made of his experiments.

From Notebook by Alexander Graham Bell, from December 29, 1891, to June 5, 1893

Students can then practice accurately documenting facts by taking notes during a cooking demonstration. This may be as simple as observing a parent preparing a meal. Then, have students use their notes, rather than a recipe and directions from a book, to prepare the dish themselves. After cooking from their notes, students can discuss the importance of accurate documentation.

5) Language Arts Themes

Friendship and Love, Family, and Conflict and Resolution are among the themes in language arts curriculum represented in this collection. The correspondence regarding Bell’s desire to marry Mabel Hubbard, one of his deaf students, provides an ideal opportunity to examine a combination of themes dealing with love, family, and conflict resolution. Students can search on Mabel to find these letters.

On August 18, 1875, Bell sent a letter to his mother rebuking the family’s failure to respond to his intent to marry Mabel. He refers to an earlier letter from his mother in which she warned her son to consider carefully his intentions to marry a "congenital deaf mute." Bell’s mother’s response on August 23 is a tactful reply; however, in a letter dated August 30, she lectures him on his harsh letter and writes of how he has troubled his father.

On August 29, Bell wrote to Mabel of his intent to return home and attempt to work matters out with his father. On the same day, Bell’s father responded to his son’s "unintelligible telegram" and reminds him of his responsibility to adhere to filial piety.

Letter from Alexander Graham Bell to Mabel Hubbard Bell, August 29, 1875.

Students can continue reading this series of letters relating to Bell’s desire to marry Mabel Hubbard by searching June 30, 1875 for a letter from Bell to Alexander Melville Bell and Eliza Symonds Bell and November 25, 1875 for his letter to Mabel Hubbard.

• What specific issues does the family argue over? What complaints and objects are voiced?
• How does the family resolve the issue of Bell's intent to marry Mabel?
• How is love expressed? How are anger and frustration expressed?
• Compare this correspondence of letters to a phone conversation. How would the communications be different? How would tone of voice influence people? For example, what if one person was yelling or crying? How might that effect the listener? How might the passage of time between letters have effected the conversation?