A View of the Birthplace of Robert Fulton
Item
Title
A View of the Birthplace of Robert Fulton
Creator
John H. Sherwin
American, 1834–after 1900
American, 1834–after 1900
Date
1854
Materials
Color lithograph with additional hand coloring
Measurements
18-15/16 x 23-5/16 in. (46.5 x 59.2 cm)
Description
Robert Fulton was born in Little Britain, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1765. As a young man, he was apprenticed to a jeweler in Philadelphia, but he developed an interest in painting and, at the age of twenty-two, went to London to study under Benjamin West. There he became acquainted with the Duke of Bridgewater, Earl Stanhope, and James Watt, engineers and scientists, and began studying with them.
Upon his return to the United States, Fulton experimented with submarine explosives and built the first steamboat, the “Clermont,” with Robert Livingston. In 1814 he constructed the first steam warship, the “Fulton.” Among his other inventions were machines for spinning flax, making rope, and sawing and polishing marble.
Adapted from the entry written by Judith Hansen O’Toole for the 1980 Pennsylvania Prints exhibition catalogue.
Upon his return to the United States, Fulton experimented with submarine explosives and built the first steamboat, the “Clermont,” with Robert Livingston. In 1814 he constructed the first steam warship, the “Fulton.” Among his other inventions were machines for spinning flax, making rope, and sawing and polishing marble.
Adapted from the entry written by Judith Hansen O’Toole for the 1980 Pennsylvania Prints exhibition catalogue.
Source
Palmer Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania State University, partial gift and purchase from John C. O’Connor and Ralph M. Yeager.
Identifier
86.484
Rights
This image is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. Other uses are not permitted.