Salomon, Haym

Salomon, Haym, << SAL uh muhn, hym >> (1740?-1785), was an American banker and patriot. During the Revolutionary War in America (1775-1783), Salomon operated a successful brokerage firm that made numerous loans to the American army and government.

Salomon was born in Lissa, Poland. He went to New York in 1772 after taking part in a struggle for Polish independence. Salomon soon became involved in the movement for American independence. The British government arrested him as a spy in 1776, and again in 1778. After the second arrest, Salomon was sentenced to death. However, he escaped by bribing his jailer. Salomon later opened his brokerage firm in Philadelphia. Salomon died suddenly on Jan. 6, 1785, and his loans to the American government were never repaid.