Robert Morris: The Financier and the Finances of the American Revolution, Vol. 2

by William Graham Sumner

Robert Morris' tombstone states that he was "The Financier"; officially, however, he was Superintendent of Finance. Whatever his title, Robert Morris played an integral role in financing the American Revolution, and Yale Professor William G. Sumner examines Morris' life and actions to enhance our understanding of the finances of the young nation.In Volume II of a two-volume work, Sumner begins with the events of 1781, when Morris anticipated receiving loans from Spain. From there, Sumner looks at Morris' attempts to secure loans from other nations, his unpopularity and resignation, and the organization of the treasury. Sumner also covers the Bank War of 1785-1786, the Commercial Convention and the Constitutional Convention, Morris' career in the U.S. Senate, and his social standing and business dealings. What should be noted is that while Morris helped to finance the Revolution, he spent three years in prison for personal debts. WILLIAM GRAHAM SUMNER was a professor of political and social science at Yale University and became known as a Social Darwinist and advocate of the laissez faire principle in economics. Besides writing a number of books on sociology, history, and economics, he was also influential in the movement to modernize the American university system.

340 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2000

About the author

William Graham Sumner (October 30, 1840 – April 12, 1910) was a classical liberal American social scientist. He taught social sciences at Yale, where he held the nation's first professorship in sociology. He was one of the most influential teachers at Yale or any other major school. Sumner wrote widely within the social sciences, with numerous books and essays on American history, economic history, political theory, sociology, and anthropology. He supported laissez-faire economics, free markets, and the gold standard. He adopted the term "ethnocentrism" to identify the roots of imperialism, which he strongly opposed. He was a spokesman against imperialism and in favor of the "forgotten man" of the middle class, a term he coined. He had a long-term influence on conservatism in the United States.

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fantastic insight into the founding of the United States. Leaves Morris looking a bit like Bloomberg (a successful merchant who loaned his abilities to the state for a spin around the block) and a bit like Madoff (an entitled huckster who manipulated his position as a representative of the state to insert himself into parasitic transactions during the revolution and ultimately died (just out of) debtor’s prison because the bills he wrote (literally) came due). I am fascinated. Loved this read.