The Statue of Liberty's creation included the help of many people; sculptors, engineers, laborers, politicians, philosophers, writers, military personnel, diplomats, entrepreneurs, citizens and even children.   Below are the pictures of those most responsible for the Statue's construction.   

Classroom Activity:  Once you have matched the short bio's with the proper person, have students research these individuals and create a
more complete biography.   Students may use original and secondary documents or other resources that are available.

Born in Colmar,  France in 1834.  Sculptor of "Liberty Enlightening the World".  Traveled to America in 1871 to search for Liberty's perfect home, Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor.  He constructed  the Statue's arm and torch by 1876 and sent these early birthday gifts
to the International Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia.  The Statue was completed in 1884 and dismantled in 1885.   Her 214 crates traveled aboard the Isere and arrived in New York in Spring of 1886.   The Statue was re-assembling in NY in 1886, it was officially dedicated October 28th.   WHO AM I  ?

Born in New York City in 1849.  She was of Russian-Jewish ancestry and the writer of the famous sonnet "The New Colossus".  This poem has become the beloved message of the immigrant and what the Statue symbolizes for millions of people around the world.  The poem was written in 1883 and sold at a literature auction to raise funds for the completion of the Statue's pedestal.  In 1903, a bronze plaque bearing the famous poem was placed on the walls of the Statue's pedestal.  Today the "New Colossus" plaque is located in the Statue of Liberty Museum.        WHO AM I ?

Click  to see the 1903 bronze plaque of "The New Colossus", placed inside the Statue's pedestal

Click the paper and inkwell to see the  hand-written version of the sonnet. 
The original is housed at the American
Jewish Historical Society. 

3.

Born in France in 1832.  He was an engineer and a builder of bridges.  He was chosen by the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty to build the intricate skeletal support structure.  He was considered the father of the modern skyscraper.  His concepts were  modern, innovative and unique.  The Statue's 300 copper  plates hang independent of each other, giving the Statue the ability to expand and contract with changing temperatures and withstand the severe weather of NY harbor.  In 1889, three years after completing work on the Statue, this man achieved world renowned fame.      WHO AM I ?

Name the construction work that brought him fame?

An

Born in Versaille, France in 1811.  Noted scholar on the U.S. Constitutional Law.  Considered the thinker of the Statue of Liberty.  At a dinner party held at his home in 1865, he conceived the idea of honoring America with a gift for America's 100th birthday and the friendship that had developed between France and the United States.  Envious of America's successful democracy and the help France had given to us, during the American Revolution,  what better way  to reciprocate that than by aiding France in acquiring a similar form of government.  Thus the idea to create Liberty was born.  It would take 21 years for the Statue to become a reality.        WHO AM I ?

4.

5.

Born in Brattleboro, Vermont in 1827.  One of the leading architects of the 19th century.  In 1869, he designed the Stuyvesant Apartments, New York City's first apartment building.  He was chosen to design and create the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty.  This granite structure would rise above the Statue's concrete base to a height of 154 ft, just over half of the monument's total height of 305 ft. 1 inch.  The pedestal, comprised of concrete and granite, is monumental in its own right;  gracefully tapering toward the copper Statue above.                 
                                  WHO AM I ?

6.

Born in Mako, Hungary in 1847.   Emigrated to America and fought in the Civil War.  A successful journalist by trade and owner of many newspapers,
of one called the "The World" based in New York City.   As the Statue of
Liberty was nearing completion in France, America's responsibility in building a pedestal was at a standstill.  Lack of funding caused continuous delays.  By the time the Statue was dis-assembled and shipped to America in 1885, over $100,000 was still needed for the pedestal's completion.  The Statue's parts, packed in 214 crates, remained on Bedloe's Island for over 1 year.   It was this man's brilliant idea that would break liberty's financial woes.  His plan was to publish the names of each and every contributor to the pedestal fund, no matter how small the donation.  In just a few months, the remaining funds, over $100,000 was raised (approx. $10,000 from school children) and the pedestal was soon completed. 
                         WHO AM I ?

7.

Chief Engineer for the construction of the Statue's pedestal and concrete foundation.  Ground for the construction was broken in April of 1883.  By October of 1883, the construction of the massive 56 foot concrete base, in which everything would stand on, commenced.  It would be the largest concrete block of its day.  After Liberty's foundation was complete, the construction of the pedestal began in August of 1884.  The massive project of building Liberty's resting place would take almost 2 years.  By April, 1886, the 300 pieces of copper, contained in 214 crates were assembled together.  By October, 1886 the Statue of Liberty was complete.  Nearly 10 years of construction and 21 years from the original concept had passed. 

WHO AM I ?