What did Oliver Pollock do?

Answer 1

He is often attributed with the creation of the US Dollar sign in 1778.

He also was the financier of the American Revolutionary War

He was born in Ireland in 1737, and came to the US with his Dad, two of his brothers and his nephew in 1760. After only two years, he was trading in the West Indies (Caribbean Islands) and that is how he became so wealthy. He gave the most of any personal financier of the American Revolution - $300,000.00 which is worth about $750,000,000.00 in today's money. Only France, Spain and Holland gave more. He gave all he had and borrowed more on behalf of the United States, but congress was broke and couldn't pay him back. He was also appointed as the Commercial Agent to the Continental Congress from New Orleans. He was jailed in Havana Cuba for 18 months for debts owed by the US government. After the Revolution, he tried to get his money back, but congress was very slow and incomplete in paying him back.

Answer 2

Oliver Pollock was a businessman and patriot who is best known for his role in financing the American Revolution. He played a key role in securing funds and supplies for the Continental Army, and is credited with creating the "$" symbol to represent the American dollar. Additionally, Pollock was instrumental in establishing trade relations between the American colonies and European countries.