Statue of Charles Sumner, Bronze statue in Public Garden, Boston, United States.
Description
The Statue of Charles Sumner is an over-life-size bronze sculpture in Boston's Public Garden, showing the senator holding papers in his left hand while gesturing with his right. The work stands as one of several monuments throughout the park dedicated to notable historical figures.
History
Sculptor Thomas Ball created this memorial following Charles Sumner's death in 1874, with the work being dedicated in 1878. The Boston Art Committee selected Ball to honor the influential senator through this bronze commission.
Culture
The statue reflects the complex story of 19th-century art competitions, as the original winning design by Anne Whitney was rejected when her gender was discovered.
Practical
The monument is located within Boston's Public Garden and is easy to reach on foot as part of a walking tour through the park. It remains accessible year-round since the garden is open to visitors at all times.
Did you know?
Artist Anne Whitney initially designed the memorial and won a competition, but her design was rejected when her gender was revealed. This led to sculptor Thomas Ball being commissioned instead, reflecting the biases that shaped 19th-century art institutions.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Boston).
Boston Public Garden
187 m
Berkeley Building
366 m
Colonial Theatre, Boston
374 m
Equestrian statue of George Washington
184 m
Make Way for Ducklings
345 m
Armory of the First Corps of Cadets
306 m
Ether Monument
300 m
Statue of Alexander Hamilton
243 m
Park Square
149 m
Steinert Hall, Boston
250 mTavern Club
304 m
Parkman Bandstand
262 m
George Robert White Memorial
380 m
Bagheera Fountain
200 m
Statue of Tadeusz Kościuszko
64 mTriton Babies Fountain
251 m
Boston Public Garden Foot Bridge
190 m
Statue of Wendell Phillips
120 m
Statue of Edward Everett Hale
251 mBoy and Bird Fountain
176 mSmall Child Fountain
205 m
Statue of Thomas Cass
90 m
Boston Common and Public Garden
256 m
Pope John Paul II Memorial
287 mJapanese Lantern
223 mBoston Public Garden Flagpole Base
167 m
Statue of William Ellery Channing
73 m
Piano Row District
375 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes