Skip to main content Skip to Search Box

Morris, Robert, 1734–1806, American merchant

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
1734–1806, American merchant, known as the “financier of the American Revolution,” and signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. Liverpool, England. Morris emigrated to America in 1747 and was soon apprenticed to the merchant Charles Willing in Philadelphia. He showed an unusual aptitude for business and by 1754 became a partner in the firm with the son, Thomas Willing, after the elder Willing's death. He opposed British restrictions prior to the Revolution and served (1775–78) as a member of the Continental Congress. Morris voted against the original motion for independence in July, 1776, as premature, but signed the declaration in August. A member of various committees in Congress, Morris was particularly important in obtaining munitions and other supplies and in borrowing money to finance George Washington's army. Although Morris's vast mercantile interests profited greatly from his congressional activities, both he and his firm were acquitted by Congress of charges of fraud. …
35 results

Full text Article Morris, Robert

From The Great American History Fact-Finder
English-born financier and political leader. As superintendent of finance under the Articles of Confederation , Morris helped raise money for the Americans during the American Revolution, signed the Declaration of Independence, and served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention , favoring a…
| 110 words
Key concepts:

Full text Article MORRIS, ROBERT (1734-1806)

From The Bloomsbury Encyclopedia of the American Enlightenment
Robert Morris's contributions to the intellectual culture of the Enlightenment are not as well known as his reputation as the “Financier of the American Revolution.” Practical by nature, Morris was a cosmopolitan with a mind filled with the urge to explore, know, and improve. Robert Morris was born…
| 953 words
Key concepts:

Full text Article Morris, Robert (1734-1806)

From Encyclopedia of American Business History
businessman and financier Born in Liverpool, England, Morris came to the American colonies while still an infant, and his family settled in Oxford, Maryland, on Chesapeake Bay. He later moved to Philadelphia and, after attending school for only a short time, joined a firm of shipping merchants. In…
| 522 words
Key concepts:
1734–1806, American merchant, known as the “financier of the American Revolution,” and signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. Liverpool, England. Morris emigrated to America in 1747 and was soon apprenticed to the merchant Charles Willing in Philadelphia. He showed an unusual aptitude for…
| 382 words
Key concepts:

Full text Article Morris, Robert (1734 to 1806)

From Chambers Dictionary of World History
US merchant and politician. He was born in England and went to America in 1747, where he made a fortune in merchant shipping. He emerged as an important Whig leader when he joined the Continental Congress (1775–8), and he signed the Declaration of Independence (1776). During the American Revolution…
| 138 words
Key concepts:

Full text Article Portrait of Robert Morris (1734-1806) (litho)

From Bridgeman Images: Ken Welsh History Collection
Portrait of Robert Morris (1734-1806) (litho)
| 83 words , 1 image
Key concepts:

Full text Article Morris

From Merriam-Webster's Collegiate(R) Dictionary Full text Article Biographical Names
| 8 words
Key concepts:

Full text Article Willing, Thomas

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
1731–1821, American merchant and financier, b. Philadelphia. He studied law in London. Returning to Philadelphia in 1749, he entered his father's business and later established with Robert Morris (1734–1806) a prominent importing and exporting firm in Philadelphia. He was elected mayor of…
| 133 words
Key concepts:
Drafting the Declaration of Independence, 28th June 1776, c.1817 (oil on canvas)
Artist: Trumbull, John (1756-1843) Location: US Capitol Collection, Washington D.C., USA Credit: Drafting the Declaration of Independence, 28th June 1776, c.1817 (oil on canvas) , Trumbull, John (1756-1843) / US Capitol Collection, Washington D.C., USA / Photo © Boltin Picture Library / The…
| 132 words , 1 image
Key concepts:

Full text Article A-Z

From Encyclopedia of American Business History
advertising industry airline industry airplane industry American Express Company American Federation of Labor American Stock Exchange American Telephone & Telegraph Co. (AT&T) American Tobacco Co. antitrust…
| 1,153 words
Key concepts:
Mind Map

Stack overflow
More Library Resources