Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
The War President
Artifact IDMO 1946.42.1
Object Type
Bust
Maker
Walter Russell
(American artist, 1871-1963)
Dateca. 1945
Mediummetal (bronze), stone (granite)
Dimensionsoverall H 96 in x W 25 in x D 22 in (243.8 cm x 63.5 cm x 55.9 cm )
object (
The bust itself is 3 feet high by 25" wide at the shoulders) H 36 in x W 25 in x D 18 in (91.4 cm x 63.5 cm x 45.7 cm )
base (pedestal) H 60 in x W 25 in x D 22 in (152.4 cm x 63.5 cm x 55.9 cm )
Physical DescriptionA heroic bronze front-facing head and shoulders bust of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Inscribed at the front of the base of the bust is the title of the piece: THE / WAR PRESIDENT. The artist's name is inscribed on the left side of bust, in the lower right: © 1943 / WALTER RUSSELL. object (
The bust itself is 3 feet high by 25" wide at the shoulders) H 36 in x W 25 in x D 18 in (91.4 cm x 63.5 cm x 45.7 cm )
base (pedestal) H 60 in x W 25 in x D 22 in (152.4 cm x 63.5 cm x 55.9 cm )
The bust is mounted on a pedestal of polished red granite. The pedestal tapers from a base 25" across by 22" deep to a top platform that is 21" across by 18" deep.
Inscribed on the pedestal front: FRANKLIN DELANO / ROOSEVELT / PRESIDENT / OF THE / UNITED STATES / 1933 - 1945. Inscribed at the bottom of the pedestal at the front: PRESENTED BY / THE ORDER OF AHEPA / 1945. There are two bronze plaques fixed to the reverse of the pedestal. The top plaque reads: FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT / BY / WALTER RUSSELL / PRESENTED TO THE / FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT LIBRARY / BY / THE ORDER OF AHEPA ON MARCH 10, 1943. The plaque at the bottom reads: FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT / WAS INITIATED IN THE ORDER / OR AHEPA ON MARCH 11, 1931 / AND MAINTAINED MEMBERSHIP / IN DELPHI CHAPTER NO. 25 OF / NEW YORK CITY TO THE DATE / OF HIS DEATH.
Historical NoteThis bronze sculpture of FDR by Walter Russell is entitled, The War President. The sculpture was presented to the FDR Library in the fall of 1945 by the Order of AHEPA, a Greek fraternal organization. It is on display on the grounds of the Roosevelt Library and Museum in Freedom Court.
Additional Details
Custodial History NotePresented to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by the Order of AHEPA in the fall of 1945.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Copyright© Walter Russell / 1943. Copyright and other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions.
In Collection(s)
On view
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