Statue of Edmund Burke

This bronze sculpture depicts a figure in a striding pose with right leg forward, waving hand raised and a three-cornered hat held in the other hand. The work stands roughly 8 feet tall within Burke Park at the intersection of 11th Street, L Street, and Massachusetts Avenue NW.

This work was cast in 1922 as a replica of the original statue in Bristol and was presented as a gift from London's Lord Mayor Charles Wakefield to the United States. It was intended to strengthen friendship between the two nations following World War I.

The monument honors a British statesman who defended American colonial rights and opposed taxation without representation. It stands today as a symbol of shared values between Britain and America regarding liberty and fair governance.

The sculpture sits within a city park at a major street intersection, accessible from multiple directions. National Park Service maintenance ensures the area is kept open and available for visitors to explore.

The pedestal bears an inscription reading 'Magnanimity in politics is not seldom the truest wisdom' that reflects a core belief. This quotation continues to resonate with those who study political ethics and leadership today.

GPS coordinates: 38.90388,-77.02744

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:56