Morris, Robert. American financier. Born in Liverpool in 1734. Emigrated at an early age and settled in Philadelphia, becoming a partner in the counting-house of C. Willing. Opposed the Stamp Act, and signed the Non-Importation Agreement (1765). Having become a member of the Continental Congress, he signed the Declaration of Independence, and greatly helped the American cause from his own purse, both during the war and afterwards. He founded the Bank of North America, was superintendent of finance from 1781 to 1784, but declined the secretaryship of the treasury. Was finally ruined by his speculations, and imprisoned for debt. He died in 1806.

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