Born in Little Britain, Pennsylvania. He lived in England 1786 to 1806. Married Harriet Livingston January 8, 1808. They had four children. He was a member of the Masons in New York.

He was employed as a jeweler's apprentice, painter and miniaturist. He studied in England under Benjamin West. He became interested in engineering and patented devices to saw marble, spin flax and twist rope. He developed the submarine Nautilus first demonstrated in 1800.

Fulton invented the first practical steamboat, the Clermont in 1807. He constructed a steam powered warship for service during the War of 1812. He died in New York City.

Fulton appears on paper money:

$2 Silver Certificate, series of 1896, reverse

bio: ApCAB; DAB; Drake; Limpert; NCAB 3; NYHSD; TCBDA; WAB; WWWA-H