Fitz-Greene Halleck

This bronze figure was created in 1877 by James Wilson Alexander MacDonald and stands at the western edge of Literary Walk. The sculpture portrays the writer in a standing pose and sits along pathways that connect various poet monuments throughout the area.

The monument was unveiled in 1877 and marked an important moment in honoring American literature in the city. It was among the earliest public monuments dedicated to an American poet established in this park.

The statue honors a 19th-century poet whose writing shaped American literature during his lifetime. It stands among other writer monuments on Literary Walk, showing how the city celebrated its literary voices.

The monument sits at Mid-Park near East 66th Street and is easy to reach on foot. It sits directly along a main pathway, allowing visitors to see several literary monuments while walking through the area.

The dedication ceremony was a major public event, showing how much American writers were valued during that era. This was a time when such monuments were typically reserved for European artists.

Location: New York County

Inception: May 15, 1877

Creator: James Wilson Alexander MacDonald

Website: https://nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/monuments/658

GPS coordinates: 40.77066,-73.97214

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:21