This was such a fascinating story kids. But I have a sneaky admiration for the man. He did his bit hugely. And despite him being declared bankrupt, he kept on working. Without him, the USA or the dollar sign wouldn't have happened.
Such an interesting episode and historical factoid.
Love
Baba
The Bankrupt Irishman Who Created the Dollar Sign by Accident
http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-bankrupt-irishman-who-created-the-dollar-sign-by-accident
(via Instapaper)
The only known depiction of Oliver Pollock, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo: Richard Cummins/Alamy)
Wars cost money. So when the Revolutionary War broke out, the Colonies turned to a number of sources for backing. The top contributors to America's Independence: The Kingdoms of France and Spain, the Dutch banking conglomerate, and a single Irish merchant based in New Orleans. His name was Oliver Pollock, and he was the "Financier of the Revolution in the West."
Pollock saw opportunity in war– the chance for a young but wealthy immigrant to stand as a symbol of success and greatness. He desired to carve out a place for himself in America's financial landscape and perhaps even leave a mark in the nation's history. He achieved all those things. Just not in the way he expected.
Such an interesting episode and historical factoid.
Love
Baba
The Bankrupt Irishman Who Created the Dollar Sign by Accident
http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-bankrupt-irishman-who-created-the-dollar-sign-by-accident
(via Instapaper)
Wars cost money. So when the Revolutionary War broke out, the Colonies turned to a number of sources for backing. The top contributors to America's Independence: The Kingdoms of France and Spain, the Dutch banking conglomerate, and a single Irish merchant based in New Orleans. His name was Oliver Pollock, and he was the "Financier of the Revolution in the West."
Pollock saw opportunity in war– the chance for a young but wealthy immigrant to stand as a symbol of success and greatness. He desired to carve out a place for himself in America's financial landscape and perhaps even leave a mark in the nation's history. He achieved all those things. Just not in the way he expected.
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