Benjamin Franklin
Details:
In the center of the Park Statue A bronze statue of Benjamin Franklin on a stone pedestal. The pedestal is inlaid with 2 bronze tablets. The statue was a gift to the city of Paris from John H. Harges in honor of the 200th birthday of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin lived near this spot from 777 to 1785. He lived in a little pavilion at the Valentois mansion, which no longer exists, at what is now 66 Rue Raynouard. Here he set up the first lightening rod.
Monument Text:
Front text:
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
1706 - 1790
_________
...CE GENIE QUI AFFRANCHIT
L'AMERIQUE ET VERSA SUR
L'EUROPE DES TORRENTS DE
LUMIERE LE SAGE QUE
DEUX MONDES RECLAMENT...
(MIRABEAU 14 JUIN 1790)
English Translation:
The man whose genius raised America's standards,
whose wisdom spilled over to Europe,
the man two worlds claim as their own.
(Mirabeau June 14, 1790)
Right side text explaining bronze engraving:
RECEPTION DE FRANKLIN
A LA COUR - 1778
English translation:
Reception of Franklin
At Court - 1778
Back text:
OFFERT
A LA
VILLE DE PARIS
PAR
JOHN H. HARJES
1906
English translation:
FREE
TO THE
CITY OF PARIS
THROUGH
JOHN H. HARJES
1906
Left side text explaining bronze engraving:
SIGNATURE DU TRAITE
DE PARIS - 1783
English translation:
Signature of the Treaty of
Paris - 1783
