John Pierpont Morgan (April 17, 1837 - March 31, 1913) was an American financier, banker, and art collector. In 1892, Morgan arranged the merger of Edison General Electric and Thomson-Houston Electric Company to form General Electric. He was instrumental in the creation of the United States Steel Corporation. From 1890-1913, 42 major corporations were organized or their securities were underwritten, in whole or part, by J.P. Morgan and Company. At the height of Morgan's career during the early 1900s, he and his partners had financial investments in many large corporations and had significant influence over the nation's high finance and US Congress members. He directed the banking coalition that stopped the Panic of 1907. He was the leading financier of the Progressive Era, and his dedication to efficiency and modernization helped transform American business. Morgan was a physically big man with massive shoulders and piercing eyes. He died in Rome, Italy, in his sleep in 1913 at the age of 75. Photographed by Edward Steichen in 1903; photo known for the light reflected off the armrest being interpreted by viewers as a knife.