Alexander Graham Bell Life

Another tragedy in Alexander Graham Bell 's life

Less than two years later, Alexander Graham Bell was again rushing home in response to an urgent letter. This time it was his older brother Melly Bell, the dynamic and cheerful one, who always made people laugh. He too had tuberculosis. By the time Alexander Graham Bell arrived, Melly was already near death. Alexander Graham Bell said his good-byes and Melly took his last breath.

As children, Alexander Graham Bell and Melly Bell had made a pact. Whoever died first would try to communicate with the survivor, if it could be done. Alexander Graham Bell made several attempts to reach his brother after he died. Alexander Graham Bell held little séances in his room at night, all by himself, trying to hear Melly and trying to talk to him. Alexander Graham Bell was not successful. For Alexander Graham Bell, the art of communication was destined to be fulfilled on the earthly plane.

The move to Canada of the Bell family

After the deaths of the two brothers, now Mr. and Mrs. Bell were frightened. Alexander Graham Bell was the only son left alive.  Alexander Graham Bell was also prone to illness, so the Bell parents decided to leave Great Britain for a land with a healthier climate. During his travels Melville Bell had become convinced that Ontario, Canada, was their best choice and so in 1870 he gave up his successful career in London and made plans to relocate to Brantford, Ontario.

Alexander Graham Bell had not desire to move to Canada

Alexander Graham Bell, then 23, had no desire to move to Canada. Alexander Graham Bell had been struggling for many months to attain some sort of independence from his family, and especially from his father. Melville Bell was a brilliant man, but he could be domineering and often critical of his son. Alexander Graham Bell announced he was staying behind in London to pursue his own work, but when he saw the despair on his parents' faces, Alexander Graham Bell relented. After all, they had already lost two sons - Alexander Graham Bell simply couldn't find it within his heart to deprive them of another.