Inventor. He gained fame as an American inventor. While not the actual inventor of the steamboat, he was very instrumental in constructing a steamboat named the "Clermont", and parlaying it into a commercial success with the first permanent commercial route in history on the Hudson River in New York. Chancellor Robert R. Livingston backed the venture with his financial and political influence. Born on a farm near Quarryville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the site is a National Historic Landmark. Although the stone house was destroyed by fire in 1822, it has since been restored to its original appearance and operated by the Southern Lancaster Historical Society and houses many items from the inventor's life. A Pennsylvania Historical marker is at the site. Born the son of Robert, a farmer, and Mary Fulton, his father died, leaving his widowed mother scantily provided with the small children. His mother prevailed, home-schooling the children until he was enrolled in a local Quaker school at age eight. He was an average student but excelled at drawing, painting, and mechanics. Upon completing an apprenticeship to a Philadelphia jeweler while supporting himself, but never gained fame, as a painter of portraits and landscapes, he moved to England to study painting under Benjamin West but became more interested in engineering and naval warfare. While living in France, Fulton built the submarine "Nautilus," an experimental steam-powered vessel. During his lifetime, he was involved in a wide variety of projects, including inventing various tools and working with the U.S. Navy on the development of the torpedo, actually blowing up a brig in New York Harbor as a demonstration. He also designed the world's first steam-powered warship, which was launched after his death. Finally, in partnership with Livingston, he designed and constructed a steamboat, his ultimate venture, named "The North River Steamboat," later called the "Clermont." The craft left New York City, proceeding up the Hudson River to Albany in only 32 hours. At age 49, at the height of his fame and being overworked with various projects, a serious upper respiratory infection developed into pneumonia bringing about his death at his residence located in Battery Place in lower Manhattan. His body lay in state there until a procession was formed, conveying him to historic Trinity Church the site of his funeral. Thousands lined the route as minute-guns were fired from a steam-frigate anchored offshore in the Hudson River and the New York Battery. His service was attended by representatives from both the National and State governments as well as high officials of the City of New York. Although his wife was not buried at the site, interment followed with placement in wife's family vault at Trinity Church Yard Cemetery.