Alexander Graham Bell’s wife, Mabel Gardiner Hubbard Bell, was crucial to his success. Thanks to her wisdom and companionship, this gifted but eccentric man was able to concentrate on his inventions while Mabel took care of the practical details of their life together and created a stable and happy family home for their two daughters.
Mabel Gardiner Hubbard Bell was born in Massachusetts on November 25, 1857, to a well-to-do Bostonian family. She lost her hearing after a bout of scarlet fever when she was five years old, but thanks to her parents’ determination and her own spirit, she learned to speak in five languages and remained an active participant in the speaking world. She attended schools in the United States and Europe before becoming a private pupil of Alexander Graham Bell’s in Boston when she was 15.
Mabel was Alexander Graham Bell’s most significant influence from the time of their courtship in 1873 until his death in 1922. She was a strong and self-assured woman who became not only his wife but also his pupil, confidant, and inspiration. Her father’s involvement in the founding of the first oral school for the deaf in the United States, the Clarke School for the Deaf, was inspired by Mabel, who was the reason for his interest in deaf education. Mabel’s testimony before a congressional hearing at a young age in support of her parents’ efforts to increase funding for deaf education demonstrated her active involvement in this cause.
Mabel and Alexander Graham Bell had four children, including two daughters. She was a devoted mother and created a stable and happy family home for them.
She was also instrumental in the success of her husband’s inventions. Mabel wasn’t content to just sit on the sidelines while her husband conducted scientific discussions with his peers. She had big ideas of her own, and she knew that a heavier-than-air vehicle could be designed to fly. Mabel put her money where her mouth was and provided the inspiration and financing to make her dream a reality. She sold some of her real estate and gave the money to her husband and four others to establish the Aerial Experimental Association (AEA) in 1907. With the AEA, they set out to construct “a practical flying aerodrome,” Canada’s first heavier-than-air vehicle, the Silver Dart. This wasn’t just any old plane. Based on their scientific experiments, the aircraft they designed and built incorporated several technical innovations that had never been invented for flight before. They used ailerons for lateral control, which was a game-changer in the world of aviation. In Baddeck, Nova Scotia, in 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Bell and his assistants launched the Silver Dart, a sturdy little biplane that made the first manned flight in the British Empire.
Thanks to Mabel’s founding of the AEA and her dedication to aviation, she was named a National Historic Person in 2018. But that’s not all she’s remembered for. Mabel was also a staunch advocate for women’s education and social progress. She was a tireless advocate, encouraging women to educate themselves and effect changes in various areas of society, including health, home industries, women’s suffrage, children’s labor, and children’s education. Mabel’s lasting contributions include the founding of Canada’s first and longest continuing women’s club, the first chapter of the Canadian Home and School Parent-Teacher Federation, the first Canadian Montessori School, and the Baddeck Public Library.
Mabel Hubbard Bell’s impact on her community in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, is still felt today. She is remembered as far more than Alexander Graham Bell’s helpmate. Mabel was a driving force in the creation of social and educational institutions in the area. She died only five months after her husband, on January 3, 1923, and like him, is buried on a hill overlooking the Bras D’Or Lake.
In conclusion, Mabel Gardiner Hubbard Bell played a significant role in the life and work of Alexander Graham Bell. As his wife, pupil, confidant, and inspiration, she provided the stability and support that allowed him to focus on his inventions. Beyond her role as a wife and mother, Mabel was a dedicated advocate for women’s education and social progress. She was instrumental in the success of her husband’s aviation experiments, including the launch of the Silver Dart, Canada’s first heavier-than-air vehicle. Mabel’s lasting contributions include the founding of social and educational institutions in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and her tireless advocacy for women’s education and social change. Her legacy is still felt today, and she continues to be remembered as far more than Alexander Graham Bell’s helpmate. Mabel Hubbard Bell was a remarkable woman who made a significant impact on her community and the world at large.
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