Statue of Benjamin Franklin

The Statue of Benjamin Franklin is a bronze sculpture standing in front of Old City Hall on School Street. The figure depicts him with detailed facial features and formal attire from the 18th century.

The sculpture was created in 1856 by Richard Saltonstall Greenough and was the first public monument of a person in Boston. It marked an important moment when the city honored a historical figure in this way for the first time.

The four bronze plaques at the base show Franklin's roles as a printer, diplomat, and scientist. They reflect how important he was to early American society and remains honored in the city today.

The monument stands on School Street along the Freedom Trail and is easy to find. You can reach it by the Red and Green Lines, which stop nearby.

The dedication ceremony in 1856 drew more than 200,000 people, an extraordinarily large crowd for that era. This event shows how much the citizens valued remembering Franklin.

Location: Suffolk County

Creator: Richard Saltonstall Greenough

Part of: Freedom Trail

GPS coordinates: 42.35793,-71.05957

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:45