Nelson Aldrich (1841-1915) was an American politician and a prominent member of the Republican Party. He served as a U.S. Senator from Rhode Island from 1881 to 1911. Aldrich played a significant role in shaping economic policy during his time, particularly in relation to banking and tariffs. Aldrich is best known for his involvement in the creation of the Federal Reserve System in 1913, which established a central banking system in the United States. His efforts aimed to stabilize the economy and provide a more flexible monetary policy, influencing the financial landscape for years to come.