Broadside: Patient Lions

aT*%IT*%Is & ^ Y U THE ^ & PAT I E N T L I O N S U AT T H E N E W YO R K Y & ^ PU BL IC L I BR A RY Y U hj ^ & Lesley M. M. Blume U Y & ^ thor n w illow Y U Broadside Library ^ & U Y z%IT*%IT*x

t h e pat i e n t l i o n s at t h e n e w y o r k p u b l i c l i b r a ry

M

uch of midtown’s portion of Fih

Avenue is devoted to unapologetic, touri-geared commerce – but amble further down to 4 2 nd Street, and you will happen across the intelleual sanuary of the New York Public Library. The front doors of this Beaux Arts maerpiece–completed exaly a century ago, in 1 9 1 1 –are guarded by two much-beloved marble lions, and it’s worth making their acquaintance.

Like many civic symbols, these creatures have been named and renamed according to the events and whims of various generations. Originally called “Leo Aor” and “Leo Lenox” in honor of the library's tycoon founders, hotelier John Jacob Aor and philanthropi James Lenox, the lions later became known as Lady Aor and

Lord Lenox (even though both animals are male).

Then, in the 1 9 3 0 s, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia renamed the atues “Patience” and “Fortitude”– signifying qualities that he felt New Yorkers would need to weather the Great Depression.

(It should be noted La Guardia’s noble eort has largely only been half-heeded: to this day, New Yorkers are not exaly known for their patience. But fortitude we have in spades.)

One sunny spring aernoon, grab a picnic lunch and set up shop under one of the lions.

The people-watching from this perch is unparalleled, and perhaps you’ll art to feel fortied and patient yourself–which will no doubt come in handy as you forge your way back up crowded Fih Avenue.

aT*%IT*%Is & ^ Y U ^ & U Y & ^ Y U ^ & U Y & ^ Y U ^ & U Y z%IT*%IT*x Visit our Library Gallery of

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