Franklin's Epitaph - Philadelphia, PA
N 39° 57.148 W 075° 08.894
18S E 487338 N 4422492
How many historical markers/signs of history can be found at a single grave? How about six! This marker was placed years after Franklin's burial and contains an epitaph he wrote..for himself! Come visit Christ Church Burial Ground.
Waymark Code: WMCYAQ
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 10/25/2011
Views: 8
My Masonic brother, Benjamin Franklin lived quite a life and no amount of historic markers or signs of history can do him justice, certainly not enough to contain all the wonderful sayings and citations attributed to him. When his gravesite was restored sometime before 1980, exact date is unpublished, this marker was erected and attached to the brick wall which delineates the cemetery boundary. The marker is bronze I think, oblong (horizontal) and to the right of his grave and fittingly contains the most appropriate quote form him, his epitaph. His grave is in the northwest corner of the cemetery. Enter through the Arch Street gates, pay your two bucks, make an immediate right and head to the corner. Look to the right and you will see this marker. The sign reads:
The Body of
B. Franklin, Printer.
Like the Cover of an old Book.
Its Contents torn out.
And Stript of its Lettering & GIlding.
Lies here. Food for Worms.
But the Work shall not be lost.
For it will as he believ'd.
Appear once more
In a new and more elegant Edition
Corrected and improved
By the Author.
______
(This epitaph written by Franklin as a young
man, was not intended to be used. His nearby
gravestone was prepared in exact accordance
with the instructions in his Will.)
______
This gravesite restored
by the Poor Richard Club
of Philadelphia
through the generosity
of Howard C. Story
in memory of his parents
Edward A. and Mary Elizabeth Story
Group that erected the marker: Poor Richard's Club
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link]
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
Christ Church Burial Ground
S.E. Intersection of Arch Street & 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA USA
19106
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