Haym salomon biography for kids
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Haym Salomon
Polish-born American merchant (1740–1785)
Haym Salomon (April 7, 1740 – January 6, 1785) was a Polish-born American merchant best known for his actions during the American Revolution, where he was the prime financier to the Continental Congress. Born in Leszno, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Salomon studied finance in Western Europe before emigrating to New York City in 1775. After the American Revolutionary War broke out in the same year, Salomon supported the Patriots by providing financial services while working alongside Robert Morris, the Superintendent of Finance of the United States.
He helped convert French loans into hard currency by selling bills of exchange on Morris' behalf, and also brokered large donations to the Patriot cause. Despite donating his entire fortune to the Continental Army and several Founding Fathers of the United States, Salomon died penniless in Philadelphia in 1785 due to the failure of government officials and private lenders to
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Haym Salomon, Spy and Financier of the American Revolution
Born to a Sephardic Jewish family in Poland, Haym Salomon emigrated to New York during the American Revolution. His work in support of the American Revolution—first as a spy, and later brokering loans—helped the patriots win the war.
Fast Facts: Haym Salomon
- Also Known As: Chaim Salomon
- Known For: Former spy and financial broker who worked in support of the American Revolution.
- Born: April 7, 1740 in Leszno, Poland
- Died: January 6, 1785 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Early Years
Haym Salomon (born Chaim Salomon) was born on April 7, 1740 in Leszno, Poland. His family was part of a group of Sephardic Jews descended from Spanish and Portuguese immigrants. As a young man, Haym traveled all over Europe; like many Europeans, he spoke several languages.
In 1772, Salomon left Poland, following the country’s partitioning that essentially removed its status as a sovereign nation. He decided to try his lu
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Haym Salomon
To this day Haym Salomon remains one of the most forgotten members of the founding generation. Yet the Revolution may have failed without the financial support and mind of this Polish-born Jew. Still he remains, sadly, but a footnote in the founding of the United States.
When Salomon arrived in America in 1775 he immediately embraced the Patriot cause. Shortly after he arrived in New York City, he joined that city’s branch of the Sons of Liberty. Not long thereafter he established a brokerage house for international trade. For much of the war he worked alongside Robert Morris to help finance the Patriot cause.
In 1776, he was arrested by the British and accused of being an American spy. After eighteen months of incarceration, where he served as a translator for German mercenaries, he was pardoned. While imprisoned he worked to convince Hessians to adopt the American cause and encouraged British soldiers to desert. Arrested by the British again in 1778, Salomon, this