It is located in front of College Hall, on Locust Walk, between 34th and 36th Streets,[1] and is one of three statues of Franklin on the campus.

It was commissioned by department store founder Justus C. Strawbridge in 1896, as a gift to the City of Philadelphia.

It was cast by the Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company of New York, and installed in 1899 in front of Philadelphia's Main Post Office, at 9th and Chestnut Streets.

Its inscription quotes President George Washington's eulogy of Franklin:

GIFT OF JUSTUS C STRAWBRIDGEA signed Founder's mark also appears on the back of the statue.