Robert Emmet (Connor)

Robert Emmet is a bronze statue of Robert Emmet by Jerome Connor. There are four examples: Massachusetts Avenue and 24th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C.; St Stephen's Green, Dublin; Golden Gate Park, San Francisco; Emmetsburg, Iowa.

The San Francisco example was dedicated on July 20, 1919. The Washington example was cast in 1916, and was dedicated on June 28, 1917. It was rededicated on April 22, 1966. The statue was a gift to the Smithsonian Institution on loan to the National Park Service.

The inscription reads:

(On right side of bronze base of sculpture:)

JEROME CONNOR

1916

(Front of stone base:)

Robert Emmet

Irish Patriot

1778–1803

"Lidia-saon-eine"

(On plaque, back of base:)

"I WISHED TO PROCURE FOR MY

COUNTRY THE GUARANTEE WHICH

WASHINGTON PROCURED FOR AMERICA

I HAVE PARTED FROM EVERYTHING

THAT WAS DEAR TO ME IN THIS LIFE

FOR MY COUNTRY'S CAUSE

WHEN MY COUNTRY TAKES HER PLACE

AMONG THE NATIONS OF THE

EARTH, THEN, AND NOT TILL THEN

LET MY EPITAPH BE WRITTEN"

Extracts from Emmet's speech

from the dock September 19, 1803