Benjamin Franklin (Boyle)
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Franklin is a bronze sculpture of a seated Franklin
by John J. Boyle
at the University of Pennsylvania
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. It is located in front of College Hall, on Locust Walk, between 34th and 36th Streets.
It was commissioned by department store founder Justus C. Strawbridge in 1896, as a gift to the City of Philadelphia. It was cast by the Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company of New York, and installed in 1899 in front of Philadelphia's Main Post Office, at 9th and Chestnut Streets. Benjamin Franklin
was the first United States Postmaster General
. The granite pedestal was designed by architect Frank Miles Day
. Its inscription quotes President George Washington
's eulogy of Franklin:
(On back of pedestal):
(On back of statue):
A signed Founder's mark also appears on the back of the statue.
In 1938, when the Post Office was razed, the City gave the statue on permanent loan to the University of Pennsylvania
. Franklin played a major role in establishing the university. It was relocated to the Penn campus, and rededicated on January 21, 1939.
It was cleaned and reinstalled in 1980.
to France in 1906. It is located at the Trocadéro
in Paris.
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
by John J. Boyle
John Boyle (sculptor)
John J. Boyle was an American sculptor.He studied at the Franklin Institute, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and École des Beaux-Arts.He married Elizabeth Carroll, in Philadelphia, in 1882....
at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. It is located in front of College Hall, on Locust Walk, between 34th and 36th Streets.
It was commissioned by department store founder Justus C. Strawbridge in 1896, as a gift to the City of Philadelphia. It was cast by the Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company of New York, and installed in 1899 in front of Philadelphia's Main Post Office, at 9th and Chestnut Streets. Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
was the first United States Postmaster General
United States Postmaster General
The United States Postmaster General is the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Postal Service. The office, in one form or another, is older than both the United States Constitution and the United States Declaration of Independence...
. The granite pedestal was designed by architect Frank Miles Day
Frank Miles Day
Frank Miles Day was a Philadelphia-based architect who specialized in residences and academic buildings. In 1883, he graduated from the Towne School of the University of Pennsylvania, and traveled to Europe. In England, he apprenticed under two architects, and won the 1885 prize from the...
. Its inscription quotes President George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
's eulogy of Franklin:
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
1706-1790
VENERATED
FOR BENEVOLENCE
ADMIRED FOR TALENTS
ESTEEMED FOR PATRIOTISM
BELOVED FOR
PHILANTHROPY
WASHINGTON
(On back of pedestal):
PRESENTED TO THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA BY JUSTUS C STRAWBRIDGE 1899
(On back of statue):
JOHN J. BOYLE 1899
HENRY-BONNARD BRONZE CO FOUNDERS NY 1899
GIFT OF JUSTUS C STRAWBRIDGE
A signed Founder's mark also appears on the back of the statue.
In 1938, when the Post Office was razed, the City gave the statue on permanent loan to the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. Franklin played a major role in establishing the university. It was relocated to the Penn campus, and rededicated on January 21, 1939.
It was cleaned and reinstalled in 1980.
Replica
A copy of the statue was given by the New England SocietyNew England Society of New York
The New England Society of New York is one of several prestigious lineage organizations in the United States and one of the oldest charitable societies in the country. It was organized on May 6, 1805 to commemorate the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers on Plymouth Rock...
to France in 1906. It is located at the Trocadéro
Trocadéro
The Trocadéro, , site of the Palais de Chaillot, , is an area of Paris, France, in the 16th arrondissement, across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. The hill of the Trocadéro is the hill of Chaillot, a former village.- Origin of the name :...
in Paris.
External links
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/universityofpennsylvania/4326061936/
- http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=631