Synopses & Reviews
In 1798 Robert Morrisandmdash;andldquo;financier of the American Revolution,andrdquo; confidant of George Washington,and#160;former U.S. senatorandmdash;plunged from the peaks of wealth and prestige into debtorsand#39; prison and public contempt. How could one of the richest men in the United States, one of only two founders who signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation,
and the Constitution, suffer such a downfall?
and#160;
This book examines for the first time the extravagant Philadelphia town house Robert Morris built and its role in bringing about his ruin. Part biography, part architectural history, the book recounts Morrisandrsquo;s wild successes as a merchant, his recklessness as a land speculator, and his unrestrained passion in building his palatial, doomed mansion, once hailed as theand#160;most expensive private building in the United States but later known as andldquo;Morrisandrsquo;s Folly.andrdquo; Setting Morrisandrsquo;s tale in the context of the nationandrsquo;s founding, this volume refocuses attention on an essential yet nearly forgotten American figure while also illuminating the origins of Americaandrsquo;s ongoing, ambivalent attitudes toward the superwealthy and their sensational excesses.
Review
and#8220;Sharply focused, wonderfully engaging documentation of the 'ruins' of this American Ozymandias.and#8221;and#8212;Kirkus Reviews
Review
andldquo;Ryan K. Smith offers a readable and enlightening portrait of this busy and turbulent life in Robert Morrisand#39;s Folly . . . . It is an amazing story, and Mr. Smith tells it well.andquot;andmdash;Charles R. Morris, The Wall Street Journal
Synopsis
In 1798 Robert Morris financier of the American Revolution, confidant of George Washington, former U.S. senator plunged from the peaks of wealth and prestige into debtors' prison and public contempt. How could one of the richest men in the United States, one of only two founders who signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution, suffer such a downfall?
This book examines for the first time the extravagant Philadelphia town house Robert Morris built and its role in bringing about his ruin. Part biography, part architectural history, the book recounts Morris s wild successes as a merchant, his recklessness as a land speculator, and his unrestrained passion in building his palatial, doomed mansion, once hailed as themost expensive private building in the United States but later known as Morris s Folly. Setting Morris s tale in the context of the nation s founding, this volume refocuses attention on an essential yet nearly forgotten American figure while also illuminating the origins of America s ongoing, ambivalent attitudes toward the superwealthy and their sensational excesses."
About the Author
Ryan K. Smith is associate professor of history, Virginia Commonwealth University. He lives in Richmond, VA.