Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was a French sculptor best known for designing the Statue of Liberty. Born on August 2, 1834, in Colmar, France, he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His work often focused on themes of freedom and democracy, reflecting his interest in social issues. Bartholdi's most famous creation, the Statue of Liberty, was a gift from France to the United States, symbolizing friendship between the two nations. Completed in 1884 and dedicated in 1886, the statue stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor and has become an iconic representation of hope and freedom.