Dupont Circle in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Samuel Francis Du Pont
Memorial Fountain in Du Pont Circle
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 27, 2010
1. Samuel Francis Du Pont Memorial Fountain
This memorial fountain replaces a statue erected by the Congress of the United States in recognition of his distinguished services.
Erected 1921 by the U.S. Congress.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, Mexican-American • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.
Location. 38° 54.579′ N, 77° 2.606′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Dupont Circle. Marker is at the intersection of Dupont Circle Northwest and Connecticut Avenue Northwest on Dupont Circle Northwest. The memorial fountain is in the Du Pont Circle District, in the center of Du Pont Circle Park, at the convergence of 19th Street and Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire Avenues Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Dupont Circle Northwest, Washington DC 20036, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. HYBYCOZO (within shouting distance of this marker); You are standing at the heart (within shouting distance of this marker); Patterson House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Development in the neighborhood (about 400 feet away);
this page online
More about this marker. Daniel Chester French and architect Henry Bacon, the co-creators of the Lincoln Memorial, designed the fountain, which features carvings of three classical figures symbolizing the sea, the stars and the wind on the fountain's shaft.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . . Dupont Circle U.S. Historic District. (Submitted on June 29, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional commentary.
1. Honoring Admiral Dupont
Pacific Circle became Dupont Circle in 1882 in honor Civil War hero Admiral Samuel Dupont and in 1884, a bronze statue of the admiral by Launt
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 27, 2010
2. "This Memorial fountain replaces a statue erected by the Congress..."
— Submitted November 22, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
2. The Elements of Navigation
The three figures under the bowl of the fountain represent the the three elements of navigation: the Sea, the Stars, and the Wind.
— Submitted November 22, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
3. Du Pont vs. Dupont
The non-standard spelling of Dupont as "Du Pont" makes this hard to find in the Database. But that's how it's spelled on the base of the fountain! On the other hand, it's "Dupont Circle" on anybody's map.
— Submitted November 22, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Additional keywords. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron; Battle of Port Royal; Daniel Chester French, sculptor; Henry Bacon, architect.
Library of Congress (Chronicling America)
3. The Dupont Statue
Erected by order of Congress. Unveiled December 20, 1884.
Illustration in the Washington Star,, October 14, 1896
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 6, 2011
4. The Sea
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 16, 2012
5. The Stars
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 16, 2012
6. The Wind
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 16, 2015
7. Samuel Francis Du Pont
This 1867-68 portrait of Samuel Francis Du Pont by Daniel Huntington hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
“At the start of the Civil War, Samuel F. Du Pont was one of the navy's senior and most distinguished officers. Accordingly, he was given command of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, the largest fleet ever commanded by a naval officer up to that time. His capture of Port Royal, South Carolina, in November 1861 was the first major Union naval victory of the war and demonstrated the effectiveness of the navy's improved ordnance against shore defenses. The victory earned Du Pont the rank of rear admiral. In 1863, however, Du Pont, leading a fleet of ironclads, failed to take Charleston and suffered the worst naval defeat of the war. He asked to be relieved of his command and the request was granted, thus ending a forty-five-year career in the navy rather ignominiously.” — National Portrait Gallery
“At the start of the Civil War, Samuel F. Du Pont was one of the navy's senior and most distinguished officers. Accordingly, he was given command of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, the largest fleet ever commanded by a naval officer up to that time. His capture of Port Royal, South Carolina, in November 1861 was the first major Union naval victory of the war and demonstrated the effectiveness of the navy's improved ordnance against shore defenses. The victory earned Du Pont the rank of rear admiral. In 1863, however, Du Pont, leading a fleet of ironclads, failed to take Charleston and suffered the worst naval defeat of the war. He asked to be relieved of his command and the request was granted, thus ending a forty-five-year career in the navy rather ignominiously.” — National Portrait Gallery
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,081 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 29, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 22, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7. submitted on August 25, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
