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Statue of Benjamin Franklin (University of Pennsylvania)

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Benjamin Franklin
ArtistJohn J. Boyle
Year1896-99
TypeBronze
Dimensions230 cm × 130 cm × 150 cm (90 in × 53 in × 59 in)
LocationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Coordinates39°57′7″N 75°11′37.25″W / 39.95194°N 75.1936806°W / 39.95194; -75.1936806
OwnerUniversity of Pennsylvania

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,[1] and is one of three statues of Franklin on the campus.

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.[2] 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:

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.[3]

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.

Replica

A copy of the statue was given by the New England Society to France in 1906. It is located at the Trocadéro in Paris.

  • Main Post Office, Philadelphia, in 1904.
    Main Post Office, Philadelphia, in 1904.
  • Close-up.
    Close-up.
  • Benjamin Franklin, Trocadéro, Paris, France.
    Benjamin Franklin, Trocadéro, Paris, France.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.philart.net/person.php?id=34
  2. ^ http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/detail.aspx?ImageId=6863
  3. ^ "Benjamin Franklin, (sculpture)". SIRIS
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Benjamin Franklin statue in front of College Hall (University of Pennsylvania).
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