Nancy Matthews Elliott

In The Hesperus Prophecy, we learn about Thomas Edison’s robotic tribute to his mother. Not only was Nancy Matthews Elliott his mother, but she was also his 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.