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Major Washington Misquote Pointed Out on Presidents Day
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 16, 2009
Modified Feb 16, 2009
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 16, 2009
Modified Feb 16, 2009
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Looks like typo fever has taken hold of the city. First a subway mosaic with a 72-year-old error was spotted, setting spellcheckers into a frenzy, and now the NY Post points out an 82-year-old error carved into stone on the Manhattan Supreme Courthouse.
The paper reports: "In a stunning slap at the Father of our Country, stone carvers got George Washington's words wrong on the landmark." The quote reads: "The true administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government," but good 'ol George actually said the "due administration." The misquote has been picked up as such by many, the Law & Order crew included (it's on their website)—and even longtime employees weren't aware of the typo until now.
A spokesman for the Department of Citywide Administrative Services has quickly pinned the blame on the late Boston architect—and Harvard grad, no less—Guy Lowell, who designed the building. Meanwhile, James Rees (the executive director of Washington's estate) is calling for the typo to be fixed, noting that George was a "real stickler for detail."
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due administration
george washington
Manhattan Supreme Courthouse
misquote
typo
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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