Statue of Benjamin Franklin, Bronze statue in Downtown Boston, United States.
The Statue of Benjamin Franklin is a bronze sculpture placed in front of Old City Hall on School Street in downtown Boston. The figure stands on a stone pedestal and shows him in formal 18th-century dress with carefully worked facial features.
Richard Saltonstall Greenough created the sculpture in 1856, and it became the first public monument of a named person to be erected in Boston. Franklin was born in the city, though he spent most of his adult life elsewhere, which made this tribute feel meaningful to residents.
Four bronze plaques at the base of the statue each show a different role Franklin played during his life, from printer to diplomat to scientist. Visitors can read them directly on site and get a clear picture of why he is still remembered here.
The statue stands on School Street and is part of the Freedom Trail, which makes it easy to spot during a walking tour of downtown. The nearest subway stops on the Red and Green Lines are within a short walk.
At the time it was unveiled, the ceremony drew a crowd so large it was considered one of the biggest public gatherings Boston had ever seen. What many visitors do not notice is that the statue shows Franklin with his head turned slightly to one side, giving the figure a more natural look than most formal monuments of the era.
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