John Barry Tablet (also known as Commodore John Barry) is a tablet with a portrait bust in relief of naval officer John Barry by John Francis Paramino, installed in Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.[1]

John Barry Tablet
Artist	John Francis Paramino
Year	1949 (1949) (original) 1977 (1977) (copy)
Medium	Bronze (original) granite (copy)
Location	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Coordinates	42°21′20.2″N 71°3′47.5″W

Description

The rectangular tablet features a portrait bust in relief of Barry. An inscription below reads: FATHER OF THE AMERICAN NAVY" / COMMODORE JOHN BARRY / BORN IN WEXFORD IRELAND 1745 / DIED IN PHILADELPHIA 1803 / RECEIVED FIRST COMMISSION / FROM THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS / TO COMMAND THE LEXINGTON 1775 / SAILED FROM BOSTON ON THE RALEIGH 1778 / ACCLAIMED IN BOSTON IN 1780 / FOR VICTORIES ON THE ALLIANCE / APPOINTED IN 1794 BY PRESIDENT WASHINGTON / TO PLAN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AND LATER TO BE IN COMMAND / OF FIRST U.S. NAVY / LAUNCHED 1798 / ERECTED BY THE CITY OF BOSTON / JAMES M. CURLEY MAYOR / 1949 / TABLET RESTORED BY THE GEORGE HENDERSON FOUNDATION 1976.[1]

History

The original sculpture was commissioned by the City of Boston in 1948 and cast in bronze in 1949. After being stolen, a granite copy was commissioned and installed in 1977. The original was returned and became part of the collection of the Constitution Museum.[1]

The work was surveyed as part of the Smithsonian Institution's "Save Outdoor Sculpture!" program in 1993.[1]

References