Perhaps you’ve heard the name Robert Morris. But do you know the story behind this statue?
The Robert Morris Statue stands here as a tribute to a man of many roles. He was a patriot. He was a statesman. He was a financier. This bronze statue by Paul Wayland Bartlett commemorates Robert Morris. It is located at Independence Hall.
The Robert Morris Statue was sculpted in 1925. Paul Wayland Bartlett was commissioned by the Pennsylvania Bankers Association. The Fairmount Park Commission and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also contributed. The Limerick Brothers of Baltimore cast the statue. It was erected in 1926. Originally, the statue stood on the Chestnut Street steps of the Second Bank of the United States. It was moved to its current location in 1961.
Robert Morris was born in England in 1734. Orphaned at 16, he immigrated to America. By 22, he became a partner in a leading Philadelphia mercantile firm. It was named the Willing & Morris Company. The company traded throughout Europe, America, and the West Indies. Like many merchants, their cargo sometimes included enslaved Africans.
During the Revolutionary War, Robert Morris used his financial genius. He also used his maritime trading connections. His goal was to secure vital funds and supplies for the Continental Army. As superintendent of finance from 1781 to 1784, Morris rescued the new nation from financial ruin. He stabilized the economy. He created the first national bank. This served as a model for our modern banking system. As one of the first U.S. senators from Pennsylvania, he helped make Philadelphia the temporary capital. This was during the construction of Washington, D.C.
The inscription on the Robert Morris Statue reads “Patriot. Statesman. Financier. 1734-1806.” The statue itself is nine feet tall. It is made of bronze and sits on a limestone base.
Recently, the Robert Morris Statue was vandalized. The words “human trafficer” were written on the base. This refers to Morris’s involvement in the slave trade. The graffiti was difficult to remove due to the aged marble.
Despite his contributions, Morris faced personal financial ruin. He speculated heavily in land. Overextended, he fell into bankruptcy. He spent three years in debtors’ prison.
Even in prison, Washington did not forget Morris’ loyal service. He often visited the financier. Morris lived modestly until his death in 1806. Meanwhile, the new nation prospered. The Robert Morris Statue reminds us of a complex figure. He was a key player in the founding of the United States. Yet, he also profited from the slave trade.