Robert Fulton was born on a farm outside Little Britain, Pennsylvania. He was born on November 14, 1765. His family was white and poor.  His dad died  when he was young. He went to a strict Quaker school and he was a big trouble maker. He was also an artist. He traveled to Europe in 1787 to study art. He submitted drawings and designs for a local gunsmith. He opened his own miniature painting and hair working shop. At the age of 17 he worked as an apprentice to a jeweler in Philadelphia. One of his hobbies was inventing things and being an artist. He married Harriet on January 7th, 1808. They had four  children. 
     Robert Fulton invented the steam boat in 1807 in New York. The steam boat was used for carrying people and items faster across the ocean. It was not an accident but he had some accidents. The problem was that the sailboats went too slow.  That’s why he  invented the steam boat. It took a long time because it took a long time to get the money. He sold paintings to get more money for the steam boat. He had help with money from Robert Livingston. Robert Fulton died on February 23, 1815, because his lawyer fell through the ice and Fulton saved him.  Fulton  got very ill and died.