Fitz-Greene Halleck Statue – Central Park, New York
Among the many literary monuments in New York City’s Central Park, one holds a special distinction, the statue of Fitz-Greene Halleck, the first statue of an American author ever installed in the park. While his fame may have faded with time, this monument reminds visitors of a period when Halleck was one of the most celebrated poets in the United States.
Unveiled in 1877, the statue is located on the Literary Walk in The Mall, surrounded by monuments of other literary giants like Shakespeare, Walter Scott, and Robert Burns. The statue was sculpted by James Wilson Alexander MacDonald, a contemporary of Halleck and a known figure in the American art scene of the time.
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| Fitz-Greene Halleck Statue – Central Park, New York |
Fitz-Greene Halleck is portrayed in a seated position, with one leg elegantly crossed over the other, exuding a composed and reflective presence. He is dressed in a formal 19th-century suit with a waistcoat and cravat, draped in a flowing cloak that cascades over the back of his ornate chair. In one hand, he holds a small booklet close to his chest, while the other hand extends downward, holding a pen or stylus, subtly reinforcing his identity as a poet and man of letters. His head is slightly tilted, and his gaze is directed outward, as if lost in thought or mid-composition.
The bronze figure rests on a rectangular granite pedestal inscribed with his name: “Fitz-Greene Halleck.” Near his feet, a couple of sculpted books lie open and closed, symbolizing scholarship and the literary arts. The detailing of the folds, textures, and posture evokes a neoclassical elegance while maintaining an intimate, writerly quality. The overall effect is that of a poet momentarily paused, immersed in creation yet aware of the world beyond his words.
Fitz-Greene Halleck (1790–1867) was a prominent American poet during the early 19th century and part of the “Knickerbocker Group” of New York writers. He gained national recognition for works like Marco Bozzaris and Fanny, and his poems were once widely read in American households and classrooms. He was praised by contemporaries such as Edgar Allan Poe and even honored by Charles Dickens.
Though Halleck’s popularity waned in later years, his statue reflects the literary values of his time. It also holds the historical distinction of being the first statue in Central Park commemorating an American poet, unveiled in the presence of then-President Rutherford B. Hayes and several thousand attendees.
For those exploring the Literary Walk, this statue is a quiet reminder of how cultural memory evolves and how Central Park continues to honor both the enduring and the once-celebrated voices of literary history.
.JPG "Fitz-Greene Halleck Statue – Central Park, New York") |
| Fitz-Greene Halleck Statue – Central Park, New York |
How to Reach
The statue of Fitz-Greene Halleck is located on the Literary Walk in The Mall, Central Park. The closest entrances are at 66th Street and Fifth Avenue. The statue can be found midway along the walk, positioned among other statues of literary figures.
Location: Central Park, New York
Year Installed: 1877
Sculptor: James W.A. MacDonald
Happy travelling.
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