Joseph Francis

Joseph Francis

Joseph Francis (March 12 1801 – 1893) was a 19th century American inventor who devoted his life to improving maritime equipment, especially life-saving tools. His most famous invention, the metallic life-car, rescued thousands of stranded passengers and crew from shipwrecks near the shore. The first life-car ever used, which rescued 200 people from the Ayrshire wreck of 1850, is on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Also on display are some of Francis' numerous awards that he received in gratitude for his inventions. These include the Congressional Gold Medal, which was designed by the famous American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens and was given to him by President Benjamin Harrison on August 27, 1888, as well as a diamond-encrusted snuff box from Emperor Napoleon III of France.

Although Francis was considered one of the most well-known heroes of the 19th century, his popularity waned with the decrease in maritime accidents and he is virtually unknown today.

External links

* [http://www.smithsonianlegacies.si.edu/objectdescription.cfm?ID=21 Life-car description from the Smithsonian website]


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