The late 19th century found American cities overcrowded, noisy, and polluted. The grand vision projected in the Columbian Exposition and calls for social reform were catalysts for a new movement in urban planning called "The City Beautiful." In Washington, for example, Congress charged architects, landscape designer, and sculptors to bring order and beauty to the capital city. In 1882, Congress authorized the creation of a portrait statue honoring Civil War Admiral Samuel du Pont, to be located in a newly-fashionable neighborhood in the District of Columbia--but the du Pont family didn't like the statue. In 1917, they contracted with French to replace the statue with a more "artistic" memorial. French's fountain for Dupont Circle reflects the emerging role of sculpture in the creation of beautiful spaces in rapidly-growing American cities and the sculptor's participation in the City Beautiful movement.

Today "The Dupont Memorial" is the centerpiece of one of the busiest traffic circles in Washington, and office buildings have replaced the old mansions. Yet, more than ever, the fountain and its park function as a tranquil oasis in the midst of the city, serving as a gathering place for lunchtime office workers, chess players, local residents and, at the end of each workday, bicycle messengers. On weekend evenings Dupont Circle pulses with movie crowds and street music. French and the du Ponts could never have envisioned the active role the Memorial has continued to play in the life of the city.