Robert Morris | |
---|---|
United States Senator from Pennsylvania |
|
In office March 4, 1789 – March 4, 1795 |
|
Preceded by | Seat established |
Succeeded by | William Bingham |
United States Superintendent of Finance United States Agent of the Marine |
|
In office February 20, 1781 – November 1, 1784 |
|
Preceded by | Position established |
Succeeded by | Position abolished |
Personal details | |
Born |
Liverpool, Great Britain |
January 20, 1734
Died | May 8, 1806 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
(aged 72)
Resting place | Christ Episcopal Church and Churchyard Philadelphia |
Political party | Pro-Administration |
Spouse(s) | Mary White Morris |
Children |
Thomas Morris |
Religion | Anglican Church Church of England |
Signature |
Thomas Morris
Maria Morris
Charles Morris
William White Morris
Henry Morris
Hester Morris
Robert Morris, Jr. (/ˈmɒrᵻs/) (January 20, 1734 – May 8, 1806), a Founding Father of the United States, was a Liverpool-born American merchant who financed the American Revolution and signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly, became the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, and was chosen as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, where he served as chairman of the "Secret Committee of Trade" and as a member of the Committee of Correspondence.
From 1781 to 1784, he served as the powerful Superintendent of Finance, managing the economy of the fledgling United States. As the central civilian in the government, Morris was, next to General George Washington, "the most powerful man in America." His successful administration led to the sobriquet, "Financier of the Revolution." At the same time he was Agent of Marine, a position he took without pay, and from which he controlled the Continental Navy.