View source for John Paul Jones Memorial

{{Short description|Statue by Charles Henry Niehaus in Washington, D.C.}}
{{good article}}
{{distinguish|John Paul Jones Memorial Park}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox nrhp
| name         = ''Commodore John Paul Jones''
| nrhp_type    = cp
| nrhp_type2   = 
| nocat        = yes
| image        = John Paul Jones memorial DC.JPG
| caption      = John Paul Jones Memorial in 2008
| alt          = John Paul Jones Memorial in 2008
| location     = Intersection of 17th Street and [[Independence Avenue (Washington, D.C.)|Independence Avenue SW]], [[Washington, D.C.]]
| coordinates  = {{coord|38|53|17.63|N|77|2|22.2|W|display=inline,title}}
| built        = 1912
| architect    = [[Charles H. Niehaus]] (sculptor)<br>[[Thomas Hastings (architect)|Thomas Hastings]] (architect)
| added        = 
| refnum       = 
| partof       =• [[American Revolution Statuary]] (78000256)<ref name="nris1">{{NRISref|2013a|dateform=|accessdate=October 9, 2024|refnum=78000256|name=American Revolution Statuary}}</ref><br> • [[East and West Potomac Parks Historic District|East and West Potomac Parks]] (73000217)<ref name="nris2">{{NRISref|2013a|dateform=|accessdate=October 9, 2024|refnum=73000217|name=East and West Potomac Parks Historic District}}</ref><br>• [[L'Enfant Plan]] (97000332)<ref name="nris3">{{NRISref|2013a|dateform=|accessdate=October 9, 2024|refnum=97000332|name=L'Enfant Plan}}</ref>
| designated_nrhp_type  = • July 14, 1978 (American Revolution Statuary)<br>• February 6, 1985 (East and West Potomac Parks)<br>• April 24, 1997 (L'Enfant Plan)
| designated_other1      = DCIHS
| designated_other1_abbr = DCIHS
| designated_other1_date = • November 8, 1964 (East and West Potomac Parks)<br>• March 3, 1979 (American Revolution Statuary)<br>• April 24, 1997 (L'Enfant Plan)
}}
The '''John Paul Jones Memorial''', also known as '''''Commodore John Paul Jones''''', is a monument in [[West Potomac Park]], [[Washington, D.C.]]  The memorial honors [[John Paul Jones]] (1747–1792), the United States' first naval war hero, who received the [[Congressional Gold Medal]] after the end of the [[American Revolutionary War]]. Jones is famous for allegedly saying "I have not yet begun to fight!" during the [[Battle of Flamborough Head]].

Born in [[Scotland]] as John Paul, he emigrated to the United States in the 1770s and added Jones to his name. He had been a seaman since the age of 13 and when war broke out with the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]], he joined the [[Continental Navy]]. He was soon promoted to captain and commanded his first ship, the {{USS|Providence|1775|6}}, followed by the {{USS|Ranger|1777|6}}. After his decisive win at the Battle of Flamborough Head, he continued raiding ports and British ships, endearing him to French citizens. His last ship was the {{USS|America|1782|6}}, which he used to collect money from countries that owed debts. For his service in the war, Jones was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the only naval officer to receive one.

Jones died in [[France]], and his grave was not discovered by Americans until 1905. His body was brought back to the United States, and there were immediate calls for a memorial to be erected in Washington, D.C., to honor one of the Revolutionary War's greatest heroes. [[United States Congress|Congress]] approved the memorial plans and allocated $50,000 for its installation. The dedication ceremony took place on April 17, 1912, with prominent attendees including President [[William Howard Taft]], First Lady [[Helen Herron Taft]], Navy Secretary [[George von Lengerke Meyer]], and [[Horace Porter]], who was responsible for locating Jones's grave. [[Charles H. Niehaus]] was the sculptor and [[Thomas Hastings (architect)|Thomas Hastings]], a partner in the [[Carrère and Hastings]] firm, was the architect.

The memorial is located at the terminus of 17th Street SW and [[Independence Avenue (Washington, D.C.)|Independence Avenue SW]], near the [[Tidal Basin]]. The bronze statue, depicting Jones watching a battle while wearing a military uniform, stands on a tall marble [[Pylon (architecture)|pylon]]. Decorative elements include inscriptions, along with carved eagles and dolphins used in small fountains. The memorial is one of 14 sculptures in the [[American Revolution Statuary]] listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] and the [[District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites]]. It is also a [[contributing property]] to the [[West Potomac Park|East and West Potomac Parks Historic District]] and the [[L'Enfant Plan]].

== Biography ==
John Paul Jones was born John Paul in [[Kirkcudbrightshire]], Scotland, in 1747. He began working on ships at age 13. He emigrated to [[Virginia]] in 1774 and added Jones to his surname. Jones sided with the [[Colonial history of the United States|colonials]] when the American Revolutionary War began. He joined the Continental Navy in 1775, obtaining the rank of lieutenant thanks to influential friends. He was promoted to captain not long after, commanding USS ''Providence'' and USS ''Ranger'', which he used to conduct successful raids on British ports and ships.<ref name=senate>{{cite web | url=http://senate.gov/artandhistory/art/artifact/Sculpture_24_00003.htm | title=Biography of John Paul Jones | publisher=United States Senate | accessdate=December 30, 2023 | archive-date=May 28, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528232306/http://senate.gov/artandhistory/art/artifact/Sculpture_24_00003.htm | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref name=npsbio>{{cite web | url=https://www.nps.gov/nama/planyourvisit/jones.htm | title=John Paul Jones | publisher=National Park Service | accessdate=December 30, 2023 | archive-date=December 30, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230013749/https://www.nps.gov/nama/planyourvisit/jones.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>

Jones was given a French ship which he renamed {{USS|Bonhomme Richard|1765|6}} (Poor Richard), in honor of [[Benjamin Franklin]], whom the French admired. In 1779, Jones encountered two [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|British]] warships, [[Countess of Scarborough (1777 ship)|''Countess of Scarborough'']] and {{HMS|Serapis|1779|6}}, and successfully won the [[Battle of Flamborough Head]].<ref name=senate/> It was during this battle that Jones allegedly told British Captain [[Richard Pearson (Royal Navy officer)|Richard Pearson]] the famous words, "Surrender? I have not yet begun to fight!" after his ship received heavy damage.<ref name=npsbio/> Jones's popularity with the French resulted in his not returning to the colonies until 1781.<ref name=senate/>

After returning to the colonies, Jones was given command of USS ''America''. At the conclusion of the war, the United States selected Jones to retrieve money owed to American citizens. He was awarded the [[Congressional Gold Medal]] for his service in the war, the only such medal awarded to someone from the Navy. After the war, he worked for the naval forces in other countries.<ref name=senate/> He was a Rear Admiral in the [[Imperial Russian Navy]] for a time. In 1792, Jones died in Paris and was buried in the Saint Louis Cemetery.<ref name=goode>{{cite book | title=The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C. | publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press | author=Goode, James M. | year=1974 | url=https://archive.org/details/outdoorsculpture0000good | ISBN=0874741386 | pages=397}}</ref> Following years of search for his grave, it was brought back to the United States in 1905, and later entombed in the [[Naval Academy Chapel]] in 1913.<ref name=burial>{{cite web | url=http://www.navalhistory.org/2012/01/26/the-final-resting-place-of-john-paul-jones/ | title=The Final Resting Place of John Paul Jones | publisher=U.S. Naval Institute | date=January 16, 2012 | accessdate=December 30, 2023 | archive-date=February 1, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201144201/http://www.navalhistory.org/2012/01/26/the-final-resting-place-of-john-paul-jones/ | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

== Memorial plans ==
After his remains were brought back to the United States, there were immediate calls for a monument honoring the nation's first naval hero.<ref name=potomac>{{cite web | url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/207d8102-9eec-49f8-b069-c3a9102f70e2 | title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form - East and West Potomac Parks Historic District | publisher=National Park Service | date=July 15, 1972 | accessdate=May 12, 2025 | author=Dillon, Helen | page=46-47 | archive-date=April 3, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403002010/https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/207d8102-9eec-49f8-b069-c3a9102f70e2 | url-status=live }}</ref> A few years earlier in 1902, Representative [[Frank D. Currier]] introduced a bill in [[United States Congress|Congress]] that would authorize the erection of a memorial at a cost of $50,000. In his statement before the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], Currier said: "While there is so much talk at present about our great naval heroes we should not forget the first great American naval commander. There is no more interesting character in our history than Paul Jones, and it is a shame that there is not at the Capital of the nation a suitable monument to his memory."<ref name=washtimes>{{cite news | url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87062245/1902-03-07/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1900&index=0&rows=20&words=John+Jones+Paul+statue+Washington&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=District+of+Columbia&date2=1913&proxtext=%22John+Paul+Jones%22+statue+Washington&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1 | title=Wants a Monument to John Paul Jones | work=The Washington Times | date=March 7, 1902 | accessdate=December 30, 2023 | pages=2 | archive-date=December 30, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230015803/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87062245/1902-03-07/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1900&index=0&rows=20&words=John+Jones+Paul+statue+Washington&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=District+of+Columbia&date2=1913&proxtext=%22John+Paul+Jones%22+statue+Washington&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1 | url-status=live }}</ref> It was not until 1909 that Congress passed a bill to erect the memorial on public land and allocated $50,000 for its installation.<ref name=npsbio/>

The sculptor chosen for Jones' statue was [[Charles H. Niehaus]], whose other well-known works include the [[Samuel Hahnemann Monument]] in Washington, D.C., the [[Statue of James A. Garfield (Cincinnati)|statue of James A. Garfield]] in [[Cincinnati]], the ''[[Apotheosis of St. Louis]]'' in [[St. Louis]], and numerous works in the [[National Statuary Hall Collection]] and the [[Connecticut State Capitol]]. The architect for the memorial was [[Thomas Hastings (architect)|Thomas Hastings]], a partner in the [[Carrère and Hastings]] firm.<ref name=saam>{{cite web | url=https://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=13130X5P9941F.5493&profile=ariall&source=~!siartinventories&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!21447~!2&ri=4&aspect=Keyword&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=John+Paul+Jones+Memorial&index=.GW&uindex=&aspect=Keyword&menu=search&ri=4#focusDoctor | title=Commodore John Paul Jones, (sculpture) | publisher=Smithsonian Institution Archives of American Art | accessdate=December 29, 2023 | archive-date=October 3, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003074229/https://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=13130X5P9941F.5493&profile=ariall&source=~!siartinventories&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!21447~!2&ri=4&aspect=Keyword&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=John+Paul+Jones+Memorial&index=.GW&uindex=&aspect=Keyword&menu=search&ri=4#focusDoctor | url-status=live }}</ref> John Grignolai was selected to carve the ornamentations on the memorial's pedestal and the [[Gorham Manufacturing Company]] casts the statue.<ref name=potomac/>

== Dedication ==
[[File:JONES, JOHN PAUL. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT, 4-17-12. STAND LCCN2016863694.jpg|thumb|alt=Dedication of the John Paul Jones Memorial in 1912|The stand partially surrounding the memorial, which can be seen in the background, at the dedication ceremony]]
On the day of the dedication ceremony, April 17, 1912, thousands of people stood in the rain to watch the procession and unveiling. Navy Secretary [[George von Lengerke Meyer]] presided over the event and spoke during the introduction, followed by Reverend Charles Wood giving the invocation. There were three stands on different sides of the memorial, with a capacity for over 1,000 people. The [[United States Marine Band|Marine Band]] stood behind the memorial, playing patriotic music. In the [[Tidal Basin]], located behind the memorial, seven ships of the [[United States Navy|Navy]] were stationed for the event.<ref name=dedication>{{cite news | url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045433/1912-04-18/ed-1/seq-4/#date1=1900&sort=date&rows=20&words=John+Jones+monument+Paul&searchType=basic&sequence=0&index=14&state=District+of+Columbia&date2=1913&proxtext=%22John+Paul+Jones%22+monument&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1 | title=Jones Memorial Unveiled in Rain | work=The Washington Herald | date=April 18, 1912 | accessdate=December 30, 2023 | pages=4 | archive-date=December 30, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230015803/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045433/1912-04-18/ed-1/seq-4/#date1=1900&sort=date&rows=20&words=John+Jones+monument+Paul&searchType=basic&sequence=0&index=14&state=District+of+Columbia&date2=1913&proxtext=%22John+Paul+Jones%22+monument&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1 | url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Horace Porter]], who helped locate Jones's tomb while serving as [[List of ambassadors of the United States to France|U.S. ambassador to France]], spoke next. He called Jones a "rugged sailor, and yet a polished courtier" who could "tread the ballroom floor as gracefully as the bloody deck of the frigates."<ref name=dedication/> The unveiling was done by Admiral [[George Dewey]], a naval hero of the [[Spanish–American War]]. After this, there was a [[21-gun salute]], followed by remarks from President [[William Howard Taft]] that praised Jones's life and career. Niehaus was then introduced to the crowd. The closing remarks were given by Reverend William T. Russell. British Ambassador [[James Bryce, 1st Viscount Bryce]], was supposed to attend the event, but due to the [[sinking of the Titanic]] which had occurred two days prior, he was busy dealing with the crisis.<ref name=dedication/>

The ceremony ended with a procession of 2,500 members of the Navy and Army walking past the memorial, reviewed by President Taft, First Lady [[Helen Herron Taft]], and Colonel [[Spencer Cosby]]. The contingent, led by Grand Marshal Brigadier General [[Robert K. Evans]], included midshipmen, [[United States Marines|Marines]], and seamen. Army members of the contingent included soldiers in the [[United States Cavalry]], [[Army National Guard]], and [[Field Artillery Branch (United States)|Field Artillery Branch]].<ref name=dedication/>

== Later history ==
On November 8, 1964, the [[West Potomac Park|East and West Potomac Parks Historic District]], of which the Jones memorial is a [[contributing property]], was added to the [[District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites]] (DCIHS). The statue is one of fourteen sculptures included in the [[American Revolution Statuary]] that were collectively listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] (NRHP) on July 14, 1978, and added to the DCIHS on March 3, 1979. The memorial is also a contributing property to the [[L'Enfant Plan]]'s listing on the NRHP and DCIHS. It was added to the DCIHS on January 23, 1997, and the NRHP on April 24, 1997.<ref name=dcinventory>{{cite web | url=https://planning.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/op/publication/attachments/Inventory%202009%200%20Alpha%20Version%2003%2011.pdf | title=District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites | publisher=District of Columbia Office of Planning - Historic Preservation Office | date=September 30, 2009 | page=81, 124-125 | accessdate=December 29, 2023 | archive-date=July 31, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731113010/https://planning.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/op/publication/attachments/Inventory%202009%200%20Alpha%20Version%2003%2011.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=dchistoricsites>{{cite web | url=https://historicsites.dcpreservation.org/items/show/16 | title=American Revolution Statuary | publisher=DC Preservation League | accessdate=February 26, 2025}}</ref>

==Location and design==
===Location===
The memorial is located in [[West Potomac Park]], at the intersection of [[Independence Avenue (Washington, D.C.)|Independence Avenue SW]] and 17th Street SW in Washington, D.C..<ref name=potomac/><ref name=npsmemorial>{{cite web | url=https://www.nps.gov/places/000/john-paul-jones-memorial.htm | title=John Paul Jones Memorial | publisher=National Park Service | accessdate=December 29, 2023 | archive-date=December 30, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230013749/https://www.nps.gov/places/000/john-paul-jones-memorial.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> Located on the northern edge of the Tidal Basin, the memorial stands south of the [[World War II Memorial]] on the [[National Mall]].<ref name=dcpreservation>{{cite web | url=https://historicsites.dcpreservation.org/items/show/167 | title=John Paul Jones Monument | publisher=DC Preservation League | accessdate=December 29, 2023 | archive-date=December 30, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230013750/https://historicsites.dcpreservation.org/items/show/167 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Design===
[[File:Fourth grade hero.jpg|thumb|alt=A bronze statue of a man in naval uniform|Closeup view of the statue]]
[[File:John Paul Jones Memorial - rear.jpg|thumb|alt=Rear view of a marble memorial|Rear view of the memorial]]
The bronze statue of Jones is approximately 10.8 feet tall (3.3 m), 3.2 feet wide (1 m), and 3.6 feet deep (1.1 m). He is depicted standing and watching a naval battle from ''Bonhomme Richard''{{'s}} deck. He is wearing a colonial military uniform, including a three-pointed hat, a coat, and a vest. His left leg is slightly ahead of the body. His left hand is resting on a sword and the right hand is in a fist, relaxing by his side.
The statue stands in front of a 15-foot (4.6 m) [[Pylon (architecture)|pylon]] made of marble. At the top of the pylon are carvings of an eagle with a wreath, and decorative anchors on each side of the eagle. Two small wreaths are just above the inscription of  Jones's name. At the base of the pylon are carved helmets, battle instruments, and foliage. The back of the pylon features a relief of Jones hoisting a flag on a British warship. There are three steps on the north and south faces of the memorial, each side featuring carved dolphins spouting water into a basin. There is a relief panel above each dolphin depicting axes, swords, and other battle equipment.<ref name=saam/><ref name=nom1>{{cite web | url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/78000256_text | title=National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - American Revolution Statuary | publisher=National Park Service | date=October 3, 1977 | accessdate=January 16, 2024 | author=Scott, Gary | archive-date=September 29, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929182959/https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/78000256_text | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Inscriptions===
Inscriptions on the memorial include the following words:<ref name=saam/>

(north side of pylon, above statue)<br>
JOHN PAUL JONES

(statue platform, left side)<br>
C.H.NIEHAUS Sc.<br>
1911

(statue platform, right side)<br>
Gorham Co. Founders<br>
(base, north side)<br>
1747. 1792.<br>
FIRST<br>
TO COMPEL FOREIGN<br>
MAN-OF-WAR<br>
TO STRIKE COLORS<br>
TO THE<br>
STARS AND STRIPES

(pylon, south side above relief)<br>
SURRENDER?<br>
I HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO FIGHT!

(pylon, south side below relief)<br>
IN LIFE HE HONORED<br>
THE FLAG. IN DEATH THE<br>
FLAG SHALL HONOR HIM

==See also==
* [[List of public art in Washington, D.C., Ward 2]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places in Washington, D.C.]]
* [[Outdoor sculpture in Washington, D.C.]]
* [[United States Navy Memorial]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}

{{Charles Henry Niehaus}}
{{Washington DC landmarks}}
{{Public art in Washington, D.C.}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, John Paul}}
[[Category:1912 sculptures]]
[[Category:American Revolution Statuary]]
[[Category:Bronze sculptures in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites]]
[[Category:Historic district contributing properties in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:National Mall and Memorial Parks]]
[[Category:Naval monuments and memorials]]
[[Category:Sculptures by Charles Henry Niehaus]]
[[Category:Southwest (Washington, D.C.)]]
[[Category:Sculptures of eagles in the United States]]