evidence: Bell was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on March 3, 1847.[14] The family home was at South Charlotte Street, and has a stone inscription marking it as Bell's birthplace. He had two brothers: Melville James Bell (1845–1870) and Edward Charles Bell (1848–1867), both of whom died of tuberculosis.[15] His father was Alexander Melville Bell, a phonetician, and his mother was Eliza Grace Bell (née Symonds).[16] Born as just "Alexander Bell", at age 10 he made a plea to his father to have a middle name like his two brothers.[17][N 4] For his 11th birthday, his father acquiesced and allowed him to adopt the name "Graham", chosen out of respect for Alexander Graham, a Canadian being treated by his father who had become a family friend.[18] To close relatives and friends he remained "Aleck".[19] Bell and his siblings attended a Presbyterian Church in their youth.[20] [...] - ^ "Mrs. A.G. Bell Dies. Inspired Telephone. Deaf Girl's Romance With Distinguished Inventor Was Due to Her Affliction". The New York Times. January 4, 1923.