The first full-length modern biography of an extraordinary, forgotten founder of the American republic, Rappleye's book, the best ever about its subject, is an effective work of rehabilitation. Morris (1734–1806)--a gifted, enterprising, and skilled merchant, banker, and political figure in Philadelphia--was key to the financing of the American Revolution and American government into the 1790s. But because he had many political and business enemies, was a rich Federalist elitist, and ended in debtors' prison for overspeculation in land, he has always remained in the shadows. So has the fact that while deeply committed to the American cause, like many others of his time, he mixed public service with an eye on gain. Rappleye (Sons of Providence) brings Morris and his world brightly alive. Nothing of the financier's full life (his privateering for the war effort; his pioneering trade with China; the "overconfidence" that brought his downfall) escapes Rappleye, and his judgments are balanced and astute. Unfortunately, the work is overstuffed. But perhaps that's necessary to gain Morris the standing he so much deserves among the great figures of the founding era. (Nov.)
Robert Morris was a Founding Father who was ahead of his time. He was a believer in global capitalism, and he helped to create a financial system that would make America a leader in such a world. In this valuable biography, Charles Rappleye chronicles Morris’s under appreciated contributions to the creation of a new nation and defends his controversial commercial career. In doing so, he highlights the pragmatism that was a key element in shaping our early republic.
There is a lot to be learned from the storyRappleye tells of Robert Morris. And the tale is eerily familiar today.
Boston Business Journal.com
Charles Rappleye's biography of [Robert Morris is] a welcome addition to the recent spate of books on the remarkable men who created this country. For it was Morris who, over and over again at critical moments, found ways to ensure that the rebels had the money and matériel they needed. Mr. Rappleye's ‘Robert Morris’ is a great story, told with narrative skill and scholarly authority . . . . Rappleye has done a marvelous job of explaining why this mostly forgotten Founder deserves our gratitude.
[RobertMorris ] offers . . . pages to savor, packed with new research and anoverall new look at our founding history that is long overdue. What Mr.Rappleye reveals to us is a historical truth that is as important today as itwas during our perilous struggle for independence.
This book deserves to be in the historic reading section of high school and university libraries.
Insofar as demonstrating Morris's importance to the American cause, Rappleye succeeds brilliantly.
… an illuminating account of the Revolution’s improvised and even dodgy finances.” –The New Yorker “This book, the first full-length modern biography of Morris, restores him to his rightful place among the Founders’ pantheon and tells the story of a man now known to most Americans only from basketball scores.” –Pittsburgh Times Review “The first full-length modern biography of an extraordinary, forgotten founder of the American republic…the best ever about its subject…. Rappleye (Sons of Providence ) brings Morris and his world brightly alive. Nothing of the financier's full life…escapes Rappleye, and his judgments are balanced and astute.” —Publishers Weekly “The world needs to know more about Morris, and this highly readable book will surely foster more research and writing.” —Concord Monitor (New Hampshire)
Revolutions are about battles and ideas, politics and diplomacy. But they must also be about dollars and cents, or they fail. Charles Rappelye’s engrossing book puts Robert Morris, the money man of our revolution, back where he belongs, at the center of things.
Richard Brookhiser Richard Brookhiser
A merchant prince of Philadelphia whose ships ranged from London to China, Robert Morris was the indispensable when the success of the American Revolution hung in the balance. Our armies completely relied on the financial wizardry of Morris. Rappleye skillfully tells the compelling story of the man who kept the American experiment in self-government alive through its darkest days.
Robert Morris does not merely return a great man to his proper place at the center of the nation’s founding—it gives readers a new understanding of how the American Revolution happened. Anyone even faintly interested in how this country began should read this extraordinary book.
Revolutions are about battles and ideas, politics and diplomacy. But they must also be about dollars and cents, or they fail. Charles Rappelye’s engrossing book puts Robert Morris, the money man of our revolution, back where he belongs, at the center of things.
A merchant prince of Philadelphia whose ships ranged from London to China, Robert Morris was the indispensable when the success of the American Revolution hung in the balance. Our armies completely relied on the financial wizardry of Morris. Rappleye skillfully tells the compelling story of the man who kept the American experiment in self-government alive through its darkest days.
Robert Morris (1734–1806) is largely forgotten in the pantheon of Founding Fathers. Rappleye (Sons of Providence: The Brown Brothers, the Slave Trade, and the American Revolution) restores him to his proper stature as significant and worthy of study. As one of Colonial America's most successful businessmen, Morris, a Liverpool native who came to America in his youth, was instrumental in adequately financing the American Revolution. Appointed superintendent of finance (1781–84), he used his skills and connections both to supply George Washington's armies and to keep creditors at bay. Tragically, he stretched his own credit to do so and began to invest in Western lands that landed him in debtor's prison. While the last major book on Morris, Clarence L. Ver Steeg's Robert Morris: Revolutionary Financier (1954), focused on Morris's years as superintendent of finance, Rappleye covers Morris's entire life. Yet he could have added more details on his subject's private life as well as his time as a Pennsylvania senator. Rappleye uses a wealth of primary material (endnotes to come, not seen) and provides a comprehensive bibliography and survey of the historical literature. VERDICT Rappleye has written a definitive biography of Morris that neither scholars nor history buffs should ignore.—Bryan Craig, Nellsyford, VA
Passionate biography of a Founding Father whose legacy exists in the shadow of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, but who played an equally vital role in the creation of the United States.
Born in England, Robert Morris (1734–1806) moved to the American continent at a young age and used a small inheritanceto become a wealthy merchant. Although not a revolutionary by disposition, the proud Philadelphian believed that the British crown had overstepped its power, and he became active in both the formation ofindividual state governments and pushed for the controversial notion of a federal entity that could raise its own money. As the Revolutionary War dragged on, George Washington and other generals could not adequately clothe, feed or pay their troops, who threatened mutiny. Using his contacts and knowledge developed as an import-export businessman, Morris dealt with emissaries from France and other foreign nations, as well asleaders in each of the original states, raising millions of dollars and procuring shipments of badly needed gunpowder as if by magic. Investigative journalist Rappleye (Sons of Providence: The Brown Brothers, the Slave Trade, and the American Revolution , 2006, etc.) demonstrates that behind the seeming magic, Morris labored mightily, sometimes at great cost to hisbeloved wife and their brood of children, as well as the near loss of his psychologicalequilibrium. In a nascent republic beset by political, geographical and personal rivalries, Morris became theobject of suspicion by some, who accused him of enriching himself at the expense of the new nation. He worked hard for years to clear his name of those allegations and succeeded for the most part. However, his unwise land speculation after the war led to the loss of his fortune andtime in jail before his death. In fluid prose, Rappleye ably resurrects an underrated contributor to the early American republic.
Provides thorough coverage of adeserving subject.