Benjamin Franklin in 1723, (sculpture).

Benjamin Franklin in 1723, (sculpture).

McKenzie, R. Tait, 1867-1938, sculptor.

Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945, architect.

Pomeroy Construction Company, contractor.

Roman Bronze Works, founder.

Benjamin Franklin in 1723, (sculpture).

Benjamin Franklin and His Walking Stick, (sculpture).

Young Benjamin Franklin, (sculpture).

Young Walking Franklin, (sculpture).

Commissioned 1910. Modeled 1911. Dedicated June 16, 1914.

Digital Reference:

Figure: bronze; Base: limestone and granite.

Figure: approx. 8 ft. x 2 ft. 9 in. x 3 ft. 5 in.; Base: approx. 9 ft. 8 in. x 8 ft. 11 in. x 9 ft. 9 in.

(Front of base:) BENJAMIN FRANKLIN/IN 1723/FROM/THE CLASS OF 1904/COLLEGE (Proper right side of base:) I have been/the more particular/in this description of my journey/that you may compare/such unlikely beginning/with the figure/I have since made there (Proper left side of base:) This memorial/dedicated at the tenth reunion/of the class of 1904/is a tribute/to the inspiration and example/of the founder of the university/to many generations/of the sons/of Pennsylvania

Figure of young Benjamin Franklin in mid-stride, proper left leg behind. Proper left arm is extended in front of him, holding walking stick. He holds a sack in his proper right hand. His head is tilted upward and directed toward the proper right. He wears period clothing, open overcoat, and tri-cornered hat.

Portrait male -- Franklin, Benjamin -- Full length

Occupation -- Political -- Diplomat

Occupation -- Political -- Statesman

Occupation -- Science -- Inventor

Occupation -- Political -- Postmaster

Occupation -- Education -- Philosopher

Occupation -- Writer -- Author

Occupation -- Industry -- Printing

Outdoor Sculpture -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

Administered by University of Pennsylvania, Office of the Curator, 100 College Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

Located University of Pennsylvania, In Front of Weightman Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

Cost ten thousand dollars. Base designed by Paul Philippe Cret. The sculpture was a gift of the Class of 1904. The final contract for the sculpture was signed in 1911 and the artist submitted a preliminary sketch of the sculpture in clay that same year. IAS files contain unidentified article and unpublished archival material which discuss the creation of the monument.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia survey, 1992.

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, PA5032, 1989.

Fairmount Park Art Assoc., "Sculpture of a City: Philadelphia's Treasures in Bronze & Stone," NY: Walker Publ., 1974, pg. 278.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985.

University of Pennsylvania, University Archives, 1970.

Monumental News (Aug. 1914).

Monumental News (July 1914).

Fairmount Art Assoc., "Sculpture of a City: Philadelphia's Treasures in Bronze & Stone," NY: Walker Publ., 1974, pg. 278.

Monumental News (Aug. 1914): pg. 507.

For model see: 46300034.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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