The Thomas A. Edison Papers Digital Edition

This folder contains letters from William Leslie Edison (1878-1937) to his stepmother, Mina Miller Edison, and his father, Thomas A. Edison. Five letters, covering the years 1899-1905, have been selected. The earliest letter, dating from May 1899, discusses William's efforts to establish a phonograph retail business in New York City and his "hope to show father that I have outgrown all my previous foolishness." In a letter from February 1900, William attempts to reconcile with his father after his marriage to Blanche Travers. A letter from May 1901 discusses a kidnaping threat made against Madeleine Edison and William's desire to enter his father's recently established battery business. Also included is a 1905 note from William reacting to a statement by Thomas Edison Jr. regarding his wish to continue the "work which my father perhaps will not live to finish."

Additional letters written by William L. Edison during the period 1899-1910 can be found in the Charles Edison Fund Collection. Some of the letters in the CEF Collection, scanned from the microfilm, are now in the possession of the Thomas Edison National Historical Park. These items are so indicated in the document information frame above each image.