Thomas Alva Edison
By Patrick Ague
Early life
Thomas Edison was born on February 11 1847 in Milan Ohio. He was the youngest child of Samuel and Nancy Elliott Edison. Edison received limited formal education. His mother, a former teacher, guided his learning. Edison was mischievous and inquisitive. He loved to pull pranks and practical jokes. He was also eager to read, particularly science books. His reading led him to experiment with chemicals and to construct elaborate models. He built models of a working sawmill and a railroad engine, both powered by steam.