Thomas Edison had six children with his two wives, Mary Stilwell and Mina Miller.
Edison married Mary Stilwell in 1871, and they had three children: Marion, Thomas Jr., and William. Mary died in 1884. Edison married Mina Miller in 1886, and they also had three children: Madeleine, Charles, and Theodore.
The family names can cause confusion because Edison’s children were often identified by nicknames or shortened forms. Thomas Jr., for example, was sometimes called “Dash,” while William was known as “Bill.” Charles later became governor of New Jersey, and Theodore worked as an inventor.
Edison’s family life unfolded alongside his expanding industrial career. His first marriage began before his major commercial successes, while his second marriage took place during the period when his West Orange laboratory had become a large research and manufacturing center. The total of six includes all children from both marriages.