Community Chat

[Oznell]

The 250th birthday of the U.S. is sparking all kinds of excitement, and interest in the citizens of the newly forming nation.

Haym Salomon was born to a Sephardic Jewish family in Poland, but after he came to the New World in the 1770's,  he joined the revolutionary Sons of Liberty.

He was a merchant and a linguist, who ended up, according to historians, being a major financier of the Continental Congress.   As such, he worked with Robert Morris, Superintendent of Finance for the United States.

In so doing, he was instrumental in getting George Washington the extensive funds he needed for his all-important Yorktown campaign.

He was also an American spy for the Sons of Liberty, arrested by the Brits multiple times for espionage, suffering a lengthy detention, and even narrowly escaping execution.

His facility with the French language made him a natural to be liaison with our ally France, becoming an agent of the consul in the war effort.

He also found time to be active in his faith community, working effectively for religious liberty and financing the construction of the main building of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia. 

In the end, he generously donated his personal fortune to the Continental Congress and several Founding Fathers. He died impoverished, sadly.

Isn't it amazing, the amount of productive activity of these extremely clever, highly motivated early patriots?  No wonder the American Revolution proved to be the most successful in history. 

If I'm remembering correctly, this bio might be aimed at the middle school crowd. I'd probably like it, ha.

 

For adults, a quite old biography ( 1930, I think), but said to be well written--

 

[granddi]

Robert Morris is know as the financier of the American Revolution.

We just completed a 14 day American Revolution Tour. It was fast furious. Very fortunate to have a tour guide that was a sponge for all things American History plus excellent on site experts. 

It is just great to be more informed about history. 

Lots of visitors at the various sites. 

[willowbark]

In 1975, the United States Postal Service issued a commenorative stamp honoring Haym Salomon for his contributions to the cause of the American Revolution. This stamp, like others in the "Contributors to the Cause" series, was printed on the front and the back. On the glue side of the stamp, the following words were printed in pale green ink: "Financial Hero – Businessman and broker Haym Salomon was responsible for raising most of the money needed to finance the American Revolution and later to save the new nation from collapse".

In 1946, a memorial statue was erected to Salomon at Hollenbeck Park in Los Angeles. The statue was rededicated in 2008 at Pan-Pacific Park in the Fairfax District, where it can be found on the corner of Gardner and Third Street.

Here is the statue:

source: Wikipedia

[TVLand]

When does this series begin, I can't find it on my PBS.

[10sluvr]

---

@TVLand wrote:

When does this series begin, I can't find it on my PBS.

---

i had to google it. it came up with our local pbs channel and the episodes available. Ken Burns always does a nice job of topic.

[Oznell]

@granddi ,  great stuff, that must have been fun!  

@willowbark ,  thanks for further info on Salomon, and the picture of his statue.  Very impressive.  I wonder why they moved it from one park to another.  These statues and monuments to early figures are so important and help make history "real",  esp. to kids.

@TVLand , and @10sluvr ,   I wasn't aware there were any TV series on Saloman.  My title for thread must have been misleading-- by "Part One",  I meant it was the first of threads I'd like to post on various Revolutionary figures that interest me!  

Will look further into it for possible films/ documentaries that deal with him, and post.  Have a feeling that C-SPAN has archived stuff on Salomon. 

[Travone]

@granddi    what tour company was this?  Sounds like something I would enjoy.

[Lakelife62]

Not all statues and monuments are fit to be displayed publicly. Some are shrines to terrible, violent and corrupt figures. Those statues need to be relegated to the Museum of National Shame, where kids can learn about the good, bad and ugly truths that shaped our country.

This man however, seems to deserve his spot in bronze. Glad to see some diversity as well.

[Oznell]

@TVLand and @10sluvr ,  bingo!  There was a short film made in 1939, with a stellar cast and director, about Salomon.   

"Sons of Liberty".  1939.     Claude Rains, Gale Sondergaard, Donald Crisp, Henry O'Neill.  directed by the acclaimed Michael Curtiz ( "Casablanca", "Yankee Doodle Dandy", "Mildred Pierce" )

Won an Oscar for best short subject.

More recent stuff is popping up, will check into it when able.

[Puzzle Piece]

Amazing how the many talents and skills it took to build this nation.  

We truly are a tapestry of wealth.