Robert Fulton

Born

November 14, 1765

Died

February 24, 1815 (aged 49)

Known as

engineer, inventor, painter, scientist, technician

Robert Fulton was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the world's first commercially successful steamboat, the North River Steamboat. In 1807, that steamboat traveled on the Hudson River with passengers from New York City to Albany and back again, a round trip of 300 nautical miles, in 62 hours. The success of his steamboat changed river traffic and trade on major American rivers.

Biography from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.