
Robert Morris was an English-born American merchant, investor, and politician who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He played a crucial role in the American Revolution, using his financial expertise to help raise funds and secure loans for the Continental Army. Morris was one of the few individuals to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, along with other founding documents such as the Articles of Confederation. He also served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and was instrumental in the creation and ratification of the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Robert Morris |
| Birthplace | Liverpool, England |
| Born | 20 January 1734 |
| Death | 8 May 1806 |
| Nationality | English-born American |
| Occupation | Merchant, Investor, Politician |
| Role in the American Revolution | Financier of the American Revolution |
| Signed the Declaration of Independence | Yes |
| Signed the Articles of Confederation | Yes |
| Signed the U.S. Constitution | Yes |
| Founding Father | Yes |
| Known For | One of six individuals to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
- Robert Morris was an English-born American merchant, investor and politician
- He was a Founding Father of the United States
- He was one of six individuals to sign the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution
- He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787
- He was a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, the Second Continental Congress, and the United States Senate

Robert Morris was an English-born American merchant, investor and politician
Robert Morris, born in Liverpool, England, in 1734, was an English-born American merchant, investor, and politician. He was brought to North America by his father when he was 13 years old and quickly became a partner in a successful shipping firm based in Philadelphia. Morris was a man of wealth and integrity in Philadelphia during the revolutionary period. Although he was not a scholar or a soldier, he played an essential role in the success of the War against England and in establishing the new United States. Morris financed the Revolutionary War and established the Bank of the United States.
Morris was an importer, and his business was severely impacted by the Stamp Act and the colonial revolt against it. He chose the side of the colonials and engaged in movements against British rule. In 1775, he was elected to the Continental Congress and participated in committees involved in raising capital and provisions for the Continental Army. He was given a special commission by Congress to negotiate bills of exchange and solicit money for the war effort. Morris even loaned $10,000 of his money to the government to provision troops, who went on to win the Battle of Trenton.
Morris was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and served in various political roles, including the Pennsylvania legislature, the Second Continental Congress, and the United States Senate. He was a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention and was one of only two people to sign the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the US Constitution. The other person was Roger Sherman. Morris was also one of the founders of the financial system of the United States, along with Alexander Hamilton and Albert Gallatin.
After the war, Morris returned to Pennsylvania and devoted himself to business. However, he soon became a delegate for Congress again and helped debate and sign the Constitution. In the new governmental system, he became a senator and advocated for financial reforms. Unfortunately, Morris later suffered financial hardships due to poor land speculation and the financial crisis of 1797. He went bankrupt and spent time in debtor's prison before living out his remaining days in modest circumstances until his death in 1806.
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He was a Founding Father of the United States
Robert Morris, born in Liverpool, England, in 1734, was an English-born American merchant, investor, and politician. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He is best known as the "Financier of the American Revolution." He played a crucial role in the success of the War against England and in establishing the new United States on a solid footing in the world. Morris was one of just six individuals to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. He was also one of only two people to sign the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution, the other being Roger Sherman.
Morris came to North America at the age of 13 when his father brought him over. He quickly became a partner in a successful shipping firm based in Philadelphia. Before the Revolutionary War, Morris was a merchant and importer. However, his business was negatively impacted by the Stamp Act and the colonial revolt against it. Morris chose the side of the colonials and engaged in movements against British rule. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775 and participated in committees involved in raising funds and provisions for the Continental Army. Morris played a significant role in financing the war, often using his personal credit to secure loans for the colonial forces. He also established the Bank of the United States after the war.
Morris's financial contributions and business acumen were instrumental in the early years of the republic, and he is considered one of the founders of the United States financial system, along with Alexander Hamilton and Albert Gallatin. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, the Second Continental Congress, and the United States Senate. After the war, he served as the Superintendent of Finance of the United States from 1781 to 1784. He also helped establish the Bank of North America in Philadelphia in 1781. Morris was a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention and played a key role in the debates leading up to the ratification of the Constitution.
Despite his significant contributions, Morris faced accusations of war profiteering and financial mismanagement from his rivals. However, a congressional investigation cleared him of any wrongdoing. Unfortunately, later in life, Morris experienced financial difficulties due to poor land speculation and the financial crisis of 1797. He went bankrupt and spent time in debtor's prison before being released under the Bankruptcy Act of 1800. He died in 1806, having spent his later years in relative obscurity.
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He was one of six individuals to sign the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution
Robert Morris was an English-born American merchant, investor, and politician who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was born in Liverpool, England, in 1734 and moved to North America at the age of 13. He was one of six individuals to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.
Morris was a wealthy and influential man in Philadelphia during the revolutionary period. Although he was not a scholar or a soldier, he played a crucial role in the success of the War against England and in establishing the new United States on the world stage. He was responsible for financing the Revolutionary War and establishing the Bank of the United States. Morris was also a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, the Second Continental Congress, and the United States Senate.
Morris's involvement in the American Revolution began when the Continental Congress, recognising his financial acumen and shipping connections, enlisted his help in raising funds and supplies to create an American army and navy. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775 and participated in committees involved in raising capital and provisions for the Continental Army. In 1776, he was given a special commission by Congress to negotiate bills of exchange and solicit money for the war effort. Morris even loaned $10,000 of his own money to the government to provision troops, who went on to win the Battle of Trenton.
Morris's financial contributions to the war effort extended beyond fundraising. He also borrowed from the French, requisitioned from the states, and advanced money from his own pocket to fund the war. In 1781, he established the Bank of North America in Philadelphia. After the war, he served as Superintendent of Finance under the Articles of Confederation from 1781 to 1784, further cementing his role as the "Financier of the Revolution."
Morris's signature on both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution underscores his commitment to the founding principles of the United States. He was one of only six individuals to have signed both documents, shaping the course of history and the future of the nation.
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He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787
Robert Morris was an English-born American merchant, investor, and politician who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Morris was born in Liverpool, England, in 1734 and came to North America as a teenager. He settled in Philadelphia, where he became a partner in a successful shipping firm. When the Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, the Continental Congress recognised his financial acumen and connections and enlisted his help in raising funds and supplies for the war effort.
Morris played a crucial role in financing the war, often using his personal credit to secure loans for the colonial forces. He also loaned $10,000 of his own money to the government to provision troops, who went on to win the Battle of Trenton. In addition to his financial contributions, Morris served in various political and legislative roles. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775 and was a member of several committees involved in the war effort. He was also a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he was one of the signatories of the United States Constitution.
Morris was one of only six individuals to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. He and his fellow signatories sought the ratification of the new federal Constitution, which was achieved in December 1787. Morris's support for the new Constitution demonstrated his commitment to the emerging nation and his belief in a strong central government. As a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, he not only lent his signature to the document but also brought his financial expertise and political experience to the discussions and debates surrounding the formation of the new government.
Morris's role as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 was a continuation of his dedication to the success of the Revolutionary War and the establishment of the United States. He recognised the importance of a strong financial system and a stable government for the young nation. His contributions to the Convention, both in terms of his signature and his expertise, helped lay the foundation for the United States' future economic and political development. Morris's influence extended beyond his wealth and business acumen; he was also a statesman who dedicated his time and talents to shaping the course of history and ensuring the stability and prosperity of his new country.
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He was a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, the Second Continental Congress, and the United States Senate
Robert Morris was an English-born American merchant, investor, and politician who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, the Second Continental Congress, and the United States Senate.
Morris was born in Liverpool, England, in 1734 and was raised by his grandmother while his father worked as a tobacco trader in the American colonies. In 1744, at the age of 13, he left England to join his father in the Chesapeake Bay area. He then attended school in Philadelphia and, at the age of 16, was apprenticed to the counting room of Charles Willing. Two years later, he formed a partnership with his former employer's son, Thomas, and their business flourished over the next 39 years, securing Morris's wealth and reputation.
Morris became involved in politics in 1775 when he was elected to the Second Continental Congress. He participated in committees involved in raising capital and provisions for the Continental Army and played a crucial role in financing the Revolutionary War. In 1776, he was given a special commission by Congress to negotiate bills of exchange and solicit money for the war effort. He even loaned $10,000 of his own money to the government to provision desperate troops, who went on to win the Battle of Trenton.
Morris's financial expertise and connections made him a valuable asset to the emerging nation. He served as the Superintendent of Finance of the United States from 1781 to 1784 and became known as the "Financier of the Revolution." He was instrumental in establishing the Bank of North America in Philadelphia and played a key role in placing the new United States on a firm footing in the world.
After the war, Morris returned to Pennsylvania and devoted himself to business. However, he remained active in politics, serving as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and later becoming one of Pennsylvania's first senators. He was one of only two men to sign all three of the country's founding documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Robert Morris signed the US Constitution. He was one of just six individuals to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.
Robert Morris was an English-born American merchant, investor, and politician who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was also known as the "Financier of the American Revolution" for his financial contributions to the war effort.
Morris was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and served as a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, the Second Continental Congress, and the United States Senate. He also established the Bank of North America in Philadelphia in 1781.


















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