The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-09
SCULPTOR FRANKLIN SIMMONS.
Sketch of the Man Who Desisned
the Logan Statue.

Franklin Simmons, the sculptor of the
Logan statue and pedestal, was born
January Il, 1912, at Bath. Ne He is de-
seconded on both sides from the early set
tiers of New England. Samuel Simmons.
his great grandfather. was an officer in
the Revolutionary army. He was with
Washington small force during the try
ing ordeal of the winter at Valley Forge.
Samuel Simmons was born in Rhode ISL
and, and after the Revolution. with sew
eraI others soldiers, settled in Maine.
Further than a love for music. there IS
no record that any member of the family
other than the sculptor ever exhibited
any artistic talents or tendencies. Frank
lin Simmons, from infancy, showed de-
light in pictorial representations. and his
interest in art was manifested when he
first became acquainted. as a child with
the lives Of painters and sculptOrs OF the
old art world.
At that neried. IL the city Of Bath. there
were few works OF art, and there were
very few scuIptured monuments IN the
whole of New England st the age Of
sixteen. the youth made his first visit TO
Boston. and saw, for the first time, in the
rotunda of the State Capitol, Chantrey's
statue of Washington. It was then he
decided his career in life AT the time
there was apparently no work for sculp-
tor which would provide remuneration.
II is not, then. surprising that his friends
and relatives regarded with dismay his
determination to engage in 50 perlIoU5 a
pursuit His talent in producing likeness
IS, and his ability to carve out portraits
created an interest which enabled him
TO proceed with AIS pa q So Ills Hrst
attempt at 4 portrait statue vas a statue
of Ma jor General Berry, 70 no was killed
at Charlottesville
rr-saFr- s.frr h
IL the technique CT his profession The
way unexpectedly opened Tor him TO visit
y Washington, Ii the winter Of lS5i-55. and
here he arranged for sittiI p from nearly
AL the leading generals Of the army, and
the members Of Lincoln = Cabinet Il was
ar this time that Rhode Island offered
nun the COMMISSION TO MAKE the statue
Of Roger Williams for the National
Capitol, which now stands in Stat
uary Hall This commission enabled him
10 carry out a long cherished wish, To visit
Europe. lie settled In Rome to study IL
laOS. and since that time has maintained
q studio there.
Mr.. Simmons own tastes led him to de-
vote his iabOrs to ideal works But orders
for portrait busts and public monuments
We're more abundant. and he consequently
divided his efforts between portrait and
ideal sculpture His first ideal work was
the infant Moses. This was eTnineptly
successful. and found Immediately 4 pElr-
chaser in Mr. Appleton, Of Boston This
work was followed with '-AIedusa -
/ Miriam, Penelope" and others. which
+ have been several times reproduced in
marble il different parts of the world
Among his portrait statues are those of
Roger Williams, William King. and Gen
: er4I Grant all in StatuaTy Hail. in the
( Capitol the statue of Senator O p. Nor
ton. At indianapolis, q statue OF Long
fellow, and a soldiers and sailors mouu-
nleut. both at Portland lie. The lead
I ing figure IN the latter represents the
American Republic, and Is afteea feet in
height. one OF uhe largest statues in the
United States The Logan statue IS M.
! Simmons first equestrian work