Elias Hasket Derby
Elias Hasket Derby was a wealthy merchant and shipowner from Salem, Massachusetts. He lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Derby was one of the richest men in America and was known for his success in trade in China. He was a Federalist and was supportive of the policies of the Washington and Adams administrations. Despite his wealth and influence, Derby is not widely remembered today. Nevertheless, he played a significant role in the economic development of the young United States and was a prominent figure in the early years of the nation. According to some estimates, Derby’s net worth at the time of his death in 1799 was around $10 million. This would be equivalent to several hundred million dollars after adjusting for inflation.